0F 

OCT  9  1923  ) 

A..  A/ 

Mosiui  SB^' 


.Division 

% 

Section 


BS 195 
.5,3518 


THE  RIVERSIDE  NEW  TESTAMENT 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2019  with  funding  from 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


https://archive.org/details/riversidenewtestOOu 


THE 

BIYERSIDE  NEW  TESTAMENT 

A  TRANSLATION 

FROM  THE  ORIGINAL  GREEK  INTO 
THE  ENGLISH  OF  TO-DAY 


BY 


WILLIAM  G.  BALLANTINE 

/  v' 


/ 


BOSTON  AND  NEW  YORK 


HOUGHTON  MIFFLIN  COMPANY 
lAibcnsiOc  Prefix  Cambritige 
1923 


COPYRIGHT,  1923,  BY  HOUGHTON  MIFFLIN  COMPANY 

ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 


CAMBRIDGE  .  MASSACHUSETTS 
PRINTED  IN  THE  U.S.A. 


PREFACE 


There  are  millions  of  people  who  understand  no  language 
readily  except  the  living  English  of  to-day.  Surely  they  ought 
to  have  the  New  Testament  —  the  most  important  of  books  — 
in  that  language. 

The  majesty  and  beauty  of  the  old  King  James  Version  — 
the  Westminster  Abbey  of  English  literature  —  should  not 
blind  us  to  the  fact  that,  for  inquirers  eager  to  know  the  divine 
message,  it  is  three  hundred  years  behind  the  times.  Since  King 
James’s  day  the  tireless  researches  of  scholars  have  given  us  a 
more  correct  copy  of  the  Greek  original  and  a  clearer  under¬ 
standing  of  its  meaning  than  our  forbears  possessed.  Then, 
too,  in  the  course  of  these  centuries  the  English  language  has 
gone  on  changing,  until  now  many  words  once  familiar  have 
been  long  forgotten  and  many  still  in  use  have  taken  on  new 
significations.  Present-day  readers  of  the  old  version  meet  with 
many  sentences  that  convey  to  them  no  meaning  at  all  or  a 
meaning  that  is  mistaken. 

As  long  as  fifty  years  ago,  it  was  recognized  that  the  situation 
had  become  an  impossible  one,  and  the  Convocation  of  Canter¬ 
bury  led  off  in  the  movement  for  revision.  Out  of  this  came  the 
English  Revised  Version  of  1881  and  the  American  Revised 
Version  of  twenty  years  later.  But  these  revisions  did  not  aim 
to  be  more  than  revisions.  They  corrected  faulty  details  while 
leaving  the  broad  fundamental  disadvantages  untouched. 
Common  people  never  could  be  much  interested  in  them. 

To  meet  the  present  urgent  need  a  number  of  translations 
into  modern  English  have  recently  been  put  forth.  Some  of 
these  are  of  great  merit,  and  yet  every  one  of  them  seems  to 
leave  something  still  to  be  desired.  The  present  attempt  sees 
the  light  much  as  St.  Luke’s  Gospel  did.  “Inasmuch  as  many 
others  have  been  trying  their  hands  at  the  task,  it  seemed  good 
to  me  also,”  having  devoted  many  years  to  Biblical  studies,  to 
offer  my  contribution.  In  fact  a  profound  sense  of  obligation 


vi 


PREFACE 


compelled  it.  For  whoever  enjoys  the  privilege  of  knowing 
divine  truth  is  a  debtor  to  all  who  use  the  same  language. 

This  translation  has  been  made  directly  from  the  original 
Greek,  Nestle’s  text  being  generally  followed.  In  the  English 
phrasing  originality  has  been  neither  sought  nor  shunned. 
The  translator  owes  much  to  “The  Twentieth  Century  New 
Testament,”  Weymouth’s  “New  Testament  in  Modern 
Speech,”  and  Moffatt’s  “New  Translation  of  the  New  Testa¬ 
ment,”  and  of  course  to  the  Revised  Versions  and  the  old 
King  James  Version.  How  freely  he  has  departed  from  any 
and  all  of  these  a  slight  examination  will  show. 

The  ideal  of  a  translator  is  to  serve  as  a  plate-glass  window 
through  which  the  man  who  does  not  read  Greek  will  see  in 
English  just  what  he  would  see  if  he  did  read  Greek.  But  the 
realization  of  this  ideal  is  far  from  possible.  Changing  the 
figure,  we  may  say  that  to  translate  from  one  language -into 
another  is  like  playing  on  the  piano  what  was  written  for  the 
violin.  The  fundamental  melody  may  be  faithfully  reproduced, 
but  many  subtle  effects  which  the  composer  intended  are 
inevitably  lost,  and  effects  which  he  did  not  intend  are  added. 
The  effort  to  reproduce  Greek  overtones  has  led  to  much  un¬ 
natural  straining  of  the  English  language  in  all  of  our  versions. 

No  one  knows  better  than  a  translator  himself  how  far  his 
work  falls  short  of  perfection,  and  how  open  it  is  to  just 
criticism.  Many  defects  spring  from  the  very  nature  of  what 
is  attempted.  No  one  can  avoid  them.  But  defects  due  to 
ignorance  or  oversight  can  be  corrected  in  future  editions,  and 
the  translator  will  be  most  grateful  to  have  his  attention  called 
to  them  by  any  of  his  readers. 

Proper  names  have  been  left  as  they  are  in  the  American 
Revised  Version.  Whimsical  and  haphazard  changes  in  names 
are  unscholarly  in  themselves  and  annoying  to  readers  in  the 
use  of  maps  and  works  of  reference. 

Not  only  have  English  readers  a  right  to  have  the  New 
Testament  in  the  very  language  which  they  are  using  to-day; 
they  have  a  right  to  have  it  in  an  attractive  form  like  that  of 
the  other  books  they  are  now  reading.  The  wholly  unnatural 
form  in  which  it  has  been  assumed  hitherto  that  the  New 


PREFACE 


•  * 
Vll 

Testament  must  be  published  —  its  dim  and  crowded  gray- 
pages  —  must  be  held  accountable  for  much  of  the  neglect  to 
read  it.  The  present  version  enjoys  the  inestimable  advantage 
of  coming  from  a  press  whose  name  —  dear  to  readers  —  is  a 
synonym  for  legibility  and  beauty. 

The  translator  cannot  close  this  preface  without  a  personal 
word  to  the  unknown  readers  who  have  been  constantly  in  his 
mind.  Although  a  lifelong  student  of  the  New  Testament  in 
Greek  and  English,  these  days  spent  in  the  consideration  and 
expression  of  its  thoughts,  sentence  by  sentence,  have  brought 
to  him  a  fresh  and  holy  surprise.  Often  has  he  paused  in  the 
work  to  ejaculate  with  St.  Peter,  “Master,  it  is  fine  for  us  to  be 
here!”  With  the  hope  that  you  in  reading  it  may  often  share 
the  same  thrill  of  joy  and  wonder,  this  translation  is  affection¬ 
ately  offered. 

W.  G.  Ballantine 

Springfield,  Mass. 

January  1 , 1923 . 


CONTENTS 


The  Good  News  told  by  Matthew  1 

The  Good  News  told  by  Mark  57 

The  Good  News  told  by  Luke  92 

The  Good  News  told  by  John  151 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  196 

Paul’s  Letter  to  the  Romans  254 

Paul’s  First  Letter  to  the  Corinthians  278 

Paul’s  Second  Letter  to  the  Corinthians  301 

Paul’s  Letter  to  the  Galatians  316 

Paul’s  Letter  to  the  Ephesians  324 

Paul’s  Letter  to  the  Philippians  332 

Paul’s  Letter  to  the  Colossians  338 

Paul’s  First  Letter  to  the  Thessalonians  344 

Paul’s  Second  Letter  to  the  Thessalonians  349 

Paul’s  First  Letter  to  Timothy  352 

Paul’s  Second  Letter  to  Timothy  359 

Paul’s  Letter  to  Titus  364 

Paul’s  Letter  to  Philemon  367 

The  Letter  to  the  Hebrews  369 

The  Letter  of  James  387 

The  First  Letter  of  Peter  393 

The  Second  Letter  of  Peter  400 

The  First  Letter  of  John  405 

The  Second  Letter  of  John  411 

The /Third  Letter  of  John  412 

The  Letter  of  Jude  413 

The  Revelation  of  John  415 

Index  445 


THE 

RIVERSIDE  NEW  TESTAMENT 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


The  ancestral  line  of  Jesus  Christ,  son  of  David,  son  of  Abra¬ 
ham: 

Abraham  was  the  father  of  Isaac;  Isaac  was  the  father  of 
Jacob;  Jacob  was  the  father  of  Judah  and  his  brothers;  Judah 
was  the  father  of  Perez  and  Zerah  (Tamar  was  their  mother) ; 
Perez  was  the  father  of  Hezron;  Hezron  was  the  father  of 
Ram;  Ram  was  the  father  of  Amminadab;  Amminadab  was 
the  father  of  Nahshon;  Nahshon  was  the  father  of  Salmon; 
Salmon  was  the  father  of  Boaz  (Rahab  was  his  mother); 
Boaz  was  the  father  of  Obed  (Ruth  was  his  mother) ;  Jesse  was 
the  father  of  David  the  King. 

David  was  the  father  of  Solomon  (his  mother  had  been 
Uriah’s  wife);  Solomon  was  the  father  of  Rehoboam;  Reho- 
boam  was  the  father  of  Abijah;  Abijah  was  the  father  of  Asa; 
Asa  was  the  father  of  Jehoshaphat;  Jehoshaphat  was  the 
father  of  Joram;  Joram  was  the  father  of  Uzziah;  Uzziah  was 
the  father  of  Jotham;  Jotham  was  the  father  of  Ahaz;  Ahaz 
was  the  father  of  Hezekiah ;  Hezekiah  was  the  father  of  Manas- 
seh;  Manasseh  was  the  father  of  Amon;  Amon  was  the  father  of 
Josiah;  Josiah  was  the  father  of  Jechoniah  and  his  brothers  at 
the  time  of  the  Babylonian  exile. 

After  the  Babylonian  exile,  Jechoniah  was  the  father  of 
Shealtiel;  Shealtiel  was  the  father  of  Zerubbabel;  Zerubbabel 
was  the  father  of  Abiud;  Abiud  was  the  father  of  Eliakim; 
Eliakim  was  the  father  of  Azor;  Azor  was  the  father  of  Sadoc; 
Sadoc  was  the  father  of  Achim;  Achim  was  the  father  of  Eliud; 
Eliud  was  the  father  of  Eleazar;  Eleazar  was  the  father  of 


2 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


Matthan;  Matthan  was  the  father  of  Jacob;  Jacob  was  the 
father  of  Joseph  the  husband  of  Mary,  of  whom  was  born 
Jesus,  who  is  called  Christ. 

So  there  were  in  all  fourteen  generations  from  Abraham  to 
David,  and  fourteen  generations  from  David  to  the  Babylonian 
exile,  and  fourteen  generations  from  the  Babylonian  exile  to 
the  Christ. 

The  birth  of  Jesus  was  in  this  way:  His  mother  Mary  had 
been  betrothed  to  Joseph,  but  before  they  came  together  she 
was  found  to  be  with  child  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  Joseph,  her 
husband,  being  an  upright  man,  and  yet  not  willing  to  make 
her  a  public  example,  resolved  to  dismiss  her  privately.  But 
while  he  was  thinking  this  over,  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared 
to  him  in  a  dream  and  said,  “  Joseph,  son  of  David,  do  not  be 
afraid  to  take  Mary  as  your  wife,  for  what  has  been  conceived 
in  her  is  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  She  will  bear  a  son  and  you  shall 
call  his  name  Jesus,  for  he  will  save  his  people  from  their  sins.” 
All  this  happened  in  fulfillment  of  what  the  Lord  had  spoken 
through  the  prophet:  “ Behold  the  virgin  will  conceive  and  will 
bear  a  son,  and  they  will  call  his  name  Immanuel”  (which 
means,  God  is  with  us). 

When  Joseph  awoke  from  sleep,  he  did  as  the  angel  of  the 
Lord  had  bidden  him,  and  took  his  wife  to  his  home.  But  he  did 
not  live  with  her  as  a  husband  until  she  had  borne  a  son.  He 
called  his  name  Jesus. 

II 

After  Jesus  had  been  born  in  Bethlehem,  in  Judaea,  in  the  days 
of  Herod  the  King,  wise  men  from  the  East  arrived  at  Jerusa¬ 
lem,  saying,  “Where  is  he  who  has  been  born  King  of  the  Jews? 
For  we  saw  his  star  in  the  East  and  have  come  to  do  homage 
to  him.” 

When  King  Herod  heard  it,  he  was  disturbed,  and  so  was  all 
Jerusalem.  Then  he  called  together  all  the  high  priests  and 
scribes  of  the  people  and  inquired  of  them  where  the  Christ  was 
to  be  born.  They  said  to  him,  “In  Bethlehem,  in  Judaea.  For 
so  it  was  written  by  the  prophet,  ‘  And  thou,  Bethlehem,  land 
of  Judah,  art  by  no  means  least  among  the  leaders  of  Judah; 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  3 

for  from  thee  will  come  a  leader  who  will  shepherd  my  people 
Israel.’  ” 

Then  Herod*  secretly  summoned  the  wise  men  and  learned 
from  them  exactly  the  time  of  the  star’s  appearance,  and  as  he 
sent  them  to  Bethlehem  he  said,  “Go  and  make  careful  in¬ 
quiries  about  the  child,  and  when  you  have  found  him  bring  me 
word,  so  that  I  too  may  come  and  do  homage  to  him.”  After 
hearing  the  king,  they  journeyed  on,  and  the  star  which  they 
had  seen  in  the  East  went  before  them  until  it  came  and  stood 
over  where  the  child  was.  When  they  saw  the  star,  they  were 
very  joyful.  They  entered  the  house  and  saw  the  child  with 
Mary  his  mother,  and  they  fell  down  and  did  him  homage. 
Then  they  opened  their  treasures  and  presented  to  him  gifts, 
gold  and  frankincense  and  myrrh.  After  this  they  were  warned 
in  a  dream  not  to  return  to  Herod,  and  so  went  by  another 
road  back  to  their  own  country. 

After  they  had  gone,  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  in  a 
dream  to  Joseph  and  said,  “Rise  up,  and  take  the  child  and  his 
mother  and  flee  into  Egypt,  and  be  there  until  I  tell  you,  for 
Herod  will  search  for  the  child  in  order  to  kill  him.”  So  Joseph 
rose  up,  and  took  the  child  and  his  mother  in  the  night  and 
went  away  to  Egypt,  and  was  there  until  the  death  of  Herod, 
in  order  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  spoken  through  the  prophet 
might  be  fulfilled,  “Out  of  Egypt  I  called  my  Son.” 

Then  Herod,  seeing  that  he  had  been  outwitted  by  the 
wise  men,  became  furious,  and  sent  out  and  killed  all  the  boy 
babies  two  years  old  and  under  in  Bethlehem  and  all  its  neigh¬ 
borhood,  guided  by  the  date  which  he  had  carefully  learned 
from  the  wise  men.  Then  was  fulfilled  what  was  spoken  through 
Jeremiah  the  prophet  when  he  said,  “A  voice  was  heard  in 
Ramah,  wailing  and  bitter  lamentation,  Rachel  weeping  for 
her  children,  and  she  would  not  be  comforted  because  they 
are  not.” 

But  after  Herod  had  died,  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  in 
a  dream  to  Joseph  in  Egypt  and  said,  “Arise,  and  take  the 
child  and  his  mother  and  go  into  the  land  of  Israel,  for  they 
are  dead  who  sought  the  child’s  life.”  So  he  arose,  and  took  the 
child  and  his  mother  and  came  into  the  land  of  Israel.  But 


4 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


when  he  heard  that  Archelaus  was  reigning  over  Judaea  in 
place  of  his  father  Herod,  he  was  afraid  to  go  there,  and  being 
directed  in  a  dream  he  went  away  to  the  region  of  Galilee  and 
settled  in  a  town  called  Nazareth,  so  that  what  had  been 
spoken  through  the  prophets  might  be  fulfilled,  “He  will  be 
called  a  Nazarene.” 

Ill 

In  those  days  John  the  Baptist  came  preaching  in  the  wild 
part  of  Judaea  and  saying,  “  Repent;  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
is  at  hand.  For  this  is  he  who  was  foretold  through  Isaiah  the 
prophet  when  he  said :  ‘  The  voice  of  one  crying  aloud  in  the 
wilderness,  Make  ready  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  straight 
his  paths.’  ” 

This  John  had  his  clothing  of  camel’s  hair  and  wore  a  leather 
belt  around  his  waist,  and  his  food  was  locusts  and  wild  honey. 
Then  went  out  to  him  Jerusalem  and  all  Judaea  and  all  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Jordan  and  were  baptized  by  him  in  the 
Jordan  River,  confessing  their  sins.  When  he  saw  many  of  the 
Pharisees  and  Sadducees  coming  for  baptism,  he  said,  “Brood 
of  vipers,  who  directed  you  to  flee  from  the  coming  wrath? 
Produce  fruit  fitting  for  a  change  of  heart,  and  do  not 
think  of  saying  to  yourselves,  ‘We  have  Abraham  for  our 
father,’  for  I  tell  you  God  is  able  out  of  these  stones  to  raise 
up  children  for  Abraham.  Now  the  axe  is  lying  at  the  root  of 
the  trees.  Every  tree  that  does  not  yield  good  fruit  will  be 
cut  down  and  cast  into  the  fire.  I  baptize  you  with  water  for 
a  change  of  heart,  but  he  who  is  coming  after  me  is  more 
powerful  than  I;  I  am  not  worthy  to  carry  his  shoes;  he  will 
baptize  you  with  the  Holy  Spirit  and  with  fire.  He  has  his 
fan  in  his  hand  and  will  thoroughly  clean  his  threshing-floor. 
He  will  gather  his  grain  into  his  storehouse,  but  the  chaff  he 
will  burn  with  fire  unquenchable.” 

Then  Jesus  came  from  Galilee  to  the  Jordan  to  John  to  be 
baptized  by  him.  But  John  opposed  him,  saying,  “I  have  need 
to  be  baptized  by  you,  and  do  you  come  to  me?”  Jesus  re¬ 
plied,  “Permit  it  now,  for  so  it  is  fitting  for  us  to  complete 
every  righteous  act.”  Then  he  permitted  him. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


5 


Jesus,  as  soon  as  he  was  baptized,  went  up  from  the  water, 
and  the  heavens  were  opened  and  he  saw  the  Spirit  of  God  de¬ 
scending  as  a  dove  and  coming  upon  him.  A  voice  from  the 
heavens  said,  “This  is  my  Son,  the  beloved  in  whom  I  delight.” 

IV 

Then  Jesus  was  led  by  the  Spirit  up  into  the  wild  country  to 
be  tempted  by  the  Devil.  After  he  had  fasted  forty  days  and 
forty  nights  he  was  hungry.  Then  the  tempter  came  and  said 
to  him,  “  If  you  are  the  Son  of  God,  tell  these  stones  to  turn  into 
loaves  of  bread.”  But  he  answered,  “It  is  written,  ‘Man  shall 
not  live  on  bread  alone,  but  on  every  word  that  comes  from 
the  mouth  of  God.’” 

Then  the  Devil  took  him  with  him  to  the  holy  city  and 
placed  him  on  the  top  of  the  temple  and  said  to  him,  “If  you 
are  the  Son  of  God,  throw  yourself  down;  for  it  is  written, 
‘To  his  angels  he  will  give  charge  of  you,  and  on  their  hands 
they  will  bear  you  lest  you  strike  your  foot  against  a  stone.’  ” 
Jesus  said  to  him,  “It  is  written,  too,  ‘Thou  shalt  not  try  the 
Lord  thy  God.’  ” 

Again  the  Devil  took  him  with  him  to  a  very  high  mountain 
and  showed  him  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  and  their  glory, 
and  said  to  him,  “All  these  things  I  will  give  you  if  you  will 
fall  down  and  do  homage  to  me.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “Begone, 
Satan,  for  it  is  written,  ‘To  the  Lord  thy  God  alone  shalt  thou 
do  homage,  and  him  alone  shalt  thou  serve.’  ”  Then  the  Devil 
left  him,  and  angels  came  and  waited  upon  him. 

When  Jesus  heard  that  John  had  been  betrayed,  he  went 
away  into  Galilee.  Leaving  Nazareth,  he  came  and  lived  in 
Capernaum  on  the  lake  shore  on  the  borders  of  Zebulun  and 
Naphtali,  so  that  the  word  spoken  by  the  prophet  Isaiah  might 
be  fulfilled:  “Land  of  Zebulun  and  land  of  Naphtali,  road  to  the 
sea,  country  beyond  the  Jordan,  Galilee  of  the  Gentiles,  the 
people  that  sat  in  darkness  saw  a  great  light  and  upon  those 
sitting  in  the  land  and  shadow  of  death  light  dawned.” 

From  that  time  Jesus  began  to  proclaim  and  say,  “Repent, 
for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand.” 

As  he  was  walking  along  the  shore  of  the  lake  of  Galilee,  he 


6 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


saw  two  brothers,  Simon  who  is  called  Peter,  and  Andrew  his 
brother,  casting  a  net  into  the  lake,  for  they  were  fishermen; 
and  he  said  to  them,  “  Follow  me  and  I  will  make  you  fishers 
of  men.”  They  at  once  left  the  nets  and  followed  him.  Going 
on  from  there,  he  saw  two  other  brothers  —  James  the  son  of 
Zebedee  and  John  his  brother  —  in  their  boat  with  Zebedee 
their  father,  mending  their  nets ;  and  he  called  them.  They  at 
once  left  the  boat  and  their  father  and  followed  him. 

Jesus  went  around  through  the  whole  of  Galilee,  teaching 
in  the  synagogues  and  proclaiming  the  good  news  of  the  King¬ 
dom,  and  healing  every  disease  and  every  infirmity  among  the 
people.  His  fame  spread  out  into  all  Syria,  and  they  brought 
to  him  all  who  were  sick  with  various  diseases  and  those  suffer¬ 
ing  from  acute  pain,  demoniacs,  lunatics,  and  paralytics,  and 
he  healed  them.  Great  crowds  followed  him  from  Galilee 
and  Decapolis  and  Jerusalem  and  Judaea  and  from  beyond  the 
Jordan. 

y 

Seeing  the  crowds,  he  went  up  on  the  mountain,  and  when  he 
had  seated  himself  his  disciples  came  to  him.  He  opened  his 
mouth  and  taught  them,  saying: 

“ Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit!  For  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of 
heaven. 

“ Blessed  are  they  that  mourn!  For  they  will  be  com¬ 
forted. 

“ Blessed  are  the  gentle!  For  they  will  inherit  the  land. 

“ Blessed  are  those  who  hunger  and  thirst  for  righteousness! 
For  they  will  have  abundance. 

“Blessed  are  the  compassionate!  For  they  will  receive  com¬ 
passion. 

“Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart!  For  they  will  see  God. 

“Blessed  are  the  peacemakers!  For  they  will  be  called  sons 
of  God. 

“Blessed  are  those  who  have  been  persecuted  for  righteous¬ 
ness!  For  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

“Blessed  are  you  when  men  revile  you  and  persecute  you 
and  say  every  evil  thing  against  you  falsely  for  my  sake! 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


7 


Rejoice  and  be  exceedingly  glad,  for  your  reward  is  great  in 
heaven.  For  so  they  persecuted  the  prophets  who  were  before 
you. 

“You  are  the  salt  of  the  earth.  But  if  the  salt  becomes  flat, 
with  what  can  it  be  salted?  It  is  good  for  nothing  but  to  be 
thrown  out  and  trodden  under  foot  by  men.  You  are  the  light 
of  the  world.  A  city  cannot  be  hidden  if  set  on  a  hill.  People 
do  not  light  a  lamp  and  put  it  under  a  peck-measure,  but  on 
the  stand,  and  it  gives  light  for  all  in  the  house.  So  let  your 
light  shine  before  men  that  they  may  see  your  good  works  and 
give  glory  to  your  Father  in  heaven. 

“  Do  not  think  that  I  have  come  to  do  away  with  the  Law  or 
the  Prophets.  I  have  not  come  to  do  away  with  them,  but  to 
fill  them  full.  I  tell  you  truly,  until  heaven  and  earth  pass  away 
not  the  smallest  letter  or  part  of  a  letter  will  pass  away  from 
the  Law,  until  all  is  done.  Whoever  breaks  one  of  these  com¬ 
mandments,  the  least  of  them,  and  teaches  men  to  do  so,  will 
be  called  least  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and  whoever  does 
them  and  teaches  them,  he  will  be  called  great  in  the  kingdom 
of  heaven.  For  I  say  to  you  that,  unless  your  righteousness 
far  exceeds  that  of  the  scribes  and  Pharisees,  you  will  not 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

“You  have  heard  that  it  was  said  to  the  men  of  old,  ‘Thou 
shalt  not  commit  murder.  Whoever  commits  murder  shall 
answer  for  it  to  the  court/  But  I  say  to  you  that  every  one  who 
is  angry  with  his  brother  shall  answer  for  it  to  the  court;  and 
whoever  says  to  his  brother,  ‘Raca’  [empty-head],  shall 
answer  for  it  to  the  council;  and  whoever  says,  ‘You  fool’ 
shall  answer  for  it  in  the  Gehenna 1  of  fire.  So  then  if  you  are 
bringing  your  gift  to  lay  on  the  altar,  and  there  you  remember 
that  your  brother  has  something  against  you,  leave  your  gift 
there  before  the  altar  and  go,  first  be  reconciled  to  your  brother, 
and  then  come  and  offer  your  gift.  Get  on  good  terms  with 
your  adversary  quickly  while  you  are  on  the  road  with  him, 
for  fear  that  he  may  deliver  you  to  the  judge  and  the  judge 
may  deliver  you  to  the  officer  and  you  may  be  cast  into 

1  Gehenna  was  the  dump  outside  of  Jerusalem  where  refuse  was  thrown  and 
burned.  The  name  is  here  used  figuratively. 


8 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


prison.  Truly  I  tell  you  you  will  not  come  out  until  you  pay 
the  last  penny.” 

“You  have  heard  that  it  was  said,  ‘Thou  shalt  not  commit 
adultery.’  But  I  say  to  you  that  every  one  who  looks  at  a 
woman  with  lustful  thoughts  has  already  committed  adultery 
with  her  in  his  heart.  If  your  right  eye  is  a  snare  to  you, 
pluck  it  out  and  cast  it  from  you;  for  it  is  better  for  you  that 
one  of  your  members  should  be  lost  and  not  your  whole  body 
be  cast  into  Gehenna.  And  if  your  right  hand  is  a  snare  to  you, 
cut  it  off  and  cast  it  from  you.  It  is  better  for  you  that  one  of 
your  members  should  be  lost  and  not  your  whole  body  go  into 
Gehenna. 

“It  was  said,  ‘Whoever  divorces  his  wife  must  give  her  a 
certificate  of  divorce.’  But  I  say  to  you  that  every  one  who 
divorces  his  wife,  unless  for  the  cause  of  unchastity,  makes  her 
commit  adultery,  and  whoever  marries  a  divorced  woman 
commits  adultery. 

“Again,  you  have  heard  that  it  was  said  to  the  men  of  old, 
‘Thou  shalt  not  swear  falsely,  but  shalt  perform  to  the  Lord 
thine  oaths.’  But  I  tell  you  not  to  swear  at  all;  neither  by 
heaven,  because  it  is  God’s  throne;  nor  by  the  earth,  because 
it  is  his  footstool;  nor  by  Jerusalem,  because  it  is  the  city  of 
the  Great  King;  nor  must  you  swear  by  your  head,  for  you 
cannot  make  one  hair  white  or  black.  But  let  your  yes  be  yes 
and  your  no  be  no.  Whatever  is  more  than  these  is  from  evil. 

“You  have  heard  that  it  was  said,  ‘An  eye  for  an  eye  and  a 
tooth  for  a  tooth.’  But  I  tell  you  not  to  resist  a  wicked  man, 
but  if  any  one  strikes  you  on  the  right  cheek,  turn  to  him  also 
the  other  ;  and  if  any  one  is  determined  to  sue  you  for  your  tunic, 
let  him  have  your  cloak  too;  and  if  any  one  commandeers  you 
for  a  mile,  go  with  him  two.  To  him  who  begs,  give;  from  him 
who  wishes  to  borrow  of  you,  do  not  turn  away. 

“You  have  heard  that  it  was  said,  ‘  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neigh¬ 
bor  and  hate  thine  enemy.’  But  I  say  to  you,  Love  your  enemies 
and  pray  for  those  who  persecute  you,  that  you  may  be  sons 
of  your  Father  in  heaven;  for  he  makes  his  sun  to  rise  upon 
the  bad  and  the  good,  and  sends  rain  upon  the  just  and  the 
unjust.  For  if  you  love  those  who  love  you,  what  reward  have 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


9 


you?  Do  not  also  the  tax  collectors  do  the  same  thing?  And 
if  you  salute  your  brothers  only,  what  superiority  have  you? 
Do  not  the  Gentiles  do  the  same?  You  must  be  perfect  as  your 
heavenly  Father  is  perfect. 


VI 

“Be  careful  not  to  do  your  religious  actions  before  men  in 
order  to  be  seen  by  them.  Otherwise  you  have  no  reward  from 
your  Father  in  heaven.  When  you  give  gifts  of  mercy,  do 
not  sound  a  trumpet  before  you  as  the  hypocrites  do  in  the 
synagogues  and  in  the  streets,  in  order  that  they  may  be 
honored  by  men.  I  assure  you  they  get  their  payment  in  full. 
But  you,  when  you  are  giving  a  gift  of  mercy,  must  not  let 
your  left  hand  know  what  your  right  hand  is  doing,  so  that  your 
gift  may  be  in  secret,  and  your  Father,  who  sees  in  secret,  will 
repay  you. 

“When  you  pray,  you  must  not  be  like  the  hypocrites,  for 
they  love  to  stand  and  pray  in  the  synagogues  and  on  the  street 
corners  so  as  to  be  seen  by  men.  I  assure  you  they  get  their 
payment  in  full.  But  you,  when  you  pray,  go  into  your  inner 
room  and  shut  your  door  and  pray  to  your  Father  who  is  in 
secret,  and  your  Father,  who  sees  in  secret,  will  reward 
you. 

“When  praying  do  not  keep  repeating,  as  the  Gentiles  do, 
for  they  think  that  they  will  be  heard  because  of  their  multi¬ 
tude  of  words.  Do  not  be  like  them,  for  your  Father  knows 
what  you  have  need  of  before  you  ask  him.  Pray  in  this  way: 

1  Our  Father  in  heaven, 

Thy  name  be  kept  holy; 

Thy  kingdom  come; 

Thy  will  prevail; 

As  in  heaven,  so  on  earth. 

Our  bread  for  the  coming  day 
Give  us  to-day; 

And  forgive  us  our  failures 
As  we  forgive  those  who  fail  toward  us; 


10  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


And  bring  us  not  into  trial, 

But  save  us  from  evil.’1 

For  if  you  forgive  men  their  wrongdoings,  your  heavenly 
Father  will  also  forgive  you;  but  if  you  do  not  forgive  men, 
neither  will  your  Father  forgive  you  your  wrongdoings. 

“When  you  fast,  do  not  wear  gloomy  faces  as  hypocrites 
do.  For  they  disfigure  their  faces  so  as  to  be  seen  by  men  to  be 
fasting.  I  assure  you  they  get  their  payment  in  full.  But  you, 
when  fasting,  anoint  your  head  and  wash  your  face,  so  as  not 
to  appear  to  men  to  be  fasting,  but  to  your  Father  who  is  in 
secret,  and  your  Father,  who  sees  in  secret,  will  reward  you. 

“Do  not  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasures  on  the  earth,  where 
moth  and  rust  corrode  and  where  thieves  break  in  and  steal. 
But  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither 
moth  nor  rust  corrodes  and  where  thieves  do  not  break  in  nor 
steal.  For  where  your  treasure  is  there  will  your  heart  be  also. 

“The  lamp  of  the  body  is  the  eye.  If  your  eye  is  clear 
your  whole  body  will  be  lighted  up,  but  if  your  eye  is  bad  your 
whole  body  will  be  darkened.  If  the  light  that  is  in  you  is 
darkness,  how  great  the  darkness  is!  No  one  can  serve  two 
masters.  For  either  he  will  hate  one  and  love  the  other  or  he 
will  hold  to  one  and  despise  the  other.  You  cannot  serve  God 
and  Mammon.2 

“Therefore  I  tell  you,  do  not  be  anxious  about  your  physical 
life  —  what  you  are  to  eat  or  what  you  are  to  drink;  nor  about 
your  body  —  what  you  are  to  wear.  Is  not  the  life  more  than 
the  food  and  the  body  more  than  the  clothing?  Look  at  the 
birds  of  the  air.  They  do  not  sow  nor  reap  nor  gather  into 
barns,  but  your  heavenly  Father  feeds  them.  Are  you  not  of 
more  value  than  they?  But  who  of  you  by  being  anxious  can 
add  to  his  height  one  foot?  3  And  why  are  you  anxious  about 

1  The  beautiful  doxology,  — 

“For  thine  is  the  kingdom 
And  the  power 
And  the  glory 
Through  the  ages. 

Amen."  — 

is  not  found  in  the  oldest  Greek  copies. 

2  That  is,  Riches. 

8  The  Greek  word  here  translated  “foot”  means  about  eighteen  inches. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


11 


clothing?  Consider  the  lilies  of  the  field,  how  they  grow.  They 
neither  toil  nor  spin.  But  I  tell  you  that  not  even  Solomon  in 
all  his  splendor  was  arrayed  like  one  of  these.  If  God  so  clothes 
the  herbage  of  the  field,  to-day  growing  and  to-morrow  thrown 
into  the  oven,  will  he  not  much  more  clothe  you,  0  you  of  so 
little  faith?  So  do  not  be  anxious,  saying,  What  are  we  to  eat? 
or,  What  are  we  to  drink?  or,  What  are  we  to  wear?  For  all 
these  things  the  pagans  seek  after.  For  your  heavenly  Father 
knows  that  you  need  all  these  things.  But  you  must  seek  first 
his  kingdom  and  his  righteousness,  and  all  these  things  will 
be  supplied  to  you.  Do  not  be  anxious  about  to-morrow,  for 
to-morrow  will  take  care  of  itself.  Enough  for  the  day  is  its 
own  trouble. 


YII 

“  Do  not  judge,  so  that  you  may  not  be  judged.  For  with  what¬ 
ever  judgment  you  judge  you  will  be  judged,  and  with  what¬ 
ever  measure  you  measure  you  will  be  measured.  Why  do  you 
look  at  the  speck  that  is  in  your  brother’s  eye,  while  you  do 
not  perceive  the  beam  in  your  own  eye?  Or  how  will  you  say 
to  your  brother,  ‘Let  me  get  out  the  speck  from  your  eye/ 
when  there  is  a  beam  in  your  own  eye?  You  hypocrite,  first  get 
the  beam  out  of  your  own  eye,  and  then  you  will  see  clearly 
to  get  the  speck  out  of  your  brother’s  eye. 

“Do  not  give  what  is  holy  to  the  dogs,  nor  cast  your  pearls 
before  swine,  for  they  may  trample  them  under  their  feet  and 
turn  and  tear  you. 

“  Ask  and  it  will  be  given  to  you ;  seek  and  you  will  find ;  knock 
and  the  door  will  be  opened.  For  every  one  who  asks  obtains, 
and  he  who  seeks  finds,  and  to  him  who  knocks  the  door  is 
opened.  Is  there  any  man  of  you  who  if  his  son  asks  him  for 
bread  will  give  him  a  stone?  Or  if  he  asks  for  a  fish  will  give 
him  a  serpent?  If  you,  though  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts 
to  your  children,  how  much  more  will  your  heavenly  Father 
give  good  things  to  those  who  ask  him. 

“  All  things  that  you  wish  men  to  do  for  you,  do  yourselves 
for  them;  for  this  is  the  Law  and  the  Prophets. 

“Enter  through  the  narrow  gate.  For  wide  and  spacious  is 


12  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


the  road  that  leads  away  to  ruin,  and  many  there  are  wTho  go 
through  it;  but  narrow  is  the  gate  and  contracted  is  the  road 
that  leads  into  life,  and  few  there  are  who  find  it. 

“  Beware  of  false  prophets,  such  as  come  to  you  in  the  clothing 
of  sheep,  but  inwardly  are  ravenous  wolves.  From  their  fruits 
you  will  know  them.  Are  grapes  gathered  from  thorns  or  figs 
from  thistles?  Just  so  every  good  tree  yields  fine  fruit,  but  a 
worthless  tree  yields  bad  fruit.  It  is  not  possible  for  a  good 
tree  to  yield  bad  fruit  nor  for  a  worthless  tree  to  yield  fine 
fruit.  Every  tree  that  does  not  yield  fine  fruit  is  cut  down  and 
thrown  into  the  fire.  So  then,  from  their  fruits  you  will  know 
them. 

“Not  every  one  who  says  to  me,  ‘Master,  Master/  will 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  but  he  who  does  the  will  of 
my  Father  who  is  in  heaven.  Many  will  say  to  me  on  that  day, 
‘Master,  Master,  did  we  not  prophesy  in  your  name,  and  in 
your  name  cast  out  demons,  and  in  your  name  do  many 
miracles?’  And  then  I  will  tell  them  plainly,  lI  never  knew 
you.  Depart  from  me,  you  who  work  lawlessness.’ 

“Every  one,  therefore,  who  hears  these  words  of  mine  and 
does  them  will  be  like  a  wise  man  who  built  his  house  upon 
the  rock;  and  the  rain  descended  and  the  rivers  rose  and  the 
winds  blew,  and  they  beat  upon  that  house;  but  it  fell  not, 
for  it  had  been  founded  on  the  rock.  And  every  one  who  hears 
these  words  of  mine  and  does  not  do  them  will  be  like  a  foolish 
man  who  built  his  house  upon  the  sand.  And  the  rain  descended 
and  the  rivers  rose  and  the  winds  blew,  and  they  struck  upon 
that  house  and  it  fell,  and  great  was  the  ruin  of  it.” 

When  Jesus  ended  these  words,  the  crowds  were  astonished 
at  his  teaching.  For  he  taught  them  like  one  who  had  authority, 
and  not  as  their  scribes  taught. 

VIII 

When  Jesus  had  come  down  from  the  mountain,  great  crowds 
followed  him.  And  a  leper  came  up  and  bowed  before  him, 
and  said,  “Sir,  if  you  have  the  will,  you  have  power  to  make  me 
clean.”  Jesus  stretched  out  his  hand  and  touched  him  and 
said,  “I  have  the  will,  be  cleansed.”  Instantly  his  leprosy  was 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  13 


cleansed  away.  Jesus  said  to  him,  “Be  sure  and  do  not  say 
a  word  to  any  one,  but  go  and  show  yourself  to  the  priest  and 
offer  the  gift  which  Moses  prescribed  as  evidence  for  them.” 

When  Jesus  had  entered  Capernaum  there  came  to  him  a 
Centurion  1  who  implored  his  help.  “Sir,”  he  said,  “my  servant 
lies  in  my  house  a  paralytic,  in  great  distress.”  Jesus  said  to 
him,  “I  will  come  and  heal  him.”  The  Centurion  answered, 
“Sir,  I  am  not  worthy  to  have  you  come  under  my  roof ;  but  just 
speak  the  word  and  my  servant  will  be  cured.  For  I  am  a  man,  — 
under  authority,  —  with  soldiers  under  me,  and  I  say  to  this 
one,  ‘Go/  and  he  goes,  and  to  another,  ‘Come/  and  he  comes, 
and  to  my  slave,  ‘Do  this/  and  he  does  it.”  When  Jesus  heard 
this,  he  was  astonished  and  said,  “Truly  I  tell  you,  I  have  not 
found  so  great  faith  on  the  part  of  any  one  in  Israel.  I  tell  you 
many  will  come  from  the  east  and  from  the  west  and  will 
recline2  at  table  with  Abraham  and  Isaac  and  Jacob  in  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.  But  the  sons  of  the  kingdom  will  be  cast 
out  into  the  darkness  outside.  There  will  be  wailing  and  gnash¬ 
ing  of  teeth.”  Then  Jesus  said  to  the  Centurion,  “Go.  As  you 
have  believed,  so  be  it  to  you.”  His  servant  was  healed  that 
very  hour. 

When  Jesus  entered  the  house  of  Peter,  he  saw  his  wife’s 
mother  lying  sick  with  fever.  He  touched  her  hand  and  the 
fever  left  her.  Then  she  arose  and  waited  upon  him. 

When  evening  came,  they  brought  to  him  many  demoniacs 
and  he  cast  out  the  spirits  by  a  word,  and  all  their  sick  he 
healed.  This  was  in  order  to  fulfill  what  was  spoken  through 
Isaiah  the  prophet,  “He  took  our  weaknesses  and  bore  away 
our  diseases.” 

When  Jesus  saw  a  crowd  around  him,  he  gave  directions  to 
go  over  to  the  other  side  of  the  lake.  Then  a  certain  scribe 
came  to  him  and  said,  “Teacher,  I  will  follow  you  wherever 
you  go.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “The  foxes  have  holes  and  the  birds 
of  the  air  have  coverts,  but  the  Son  of  Man  has  not  where  to 
lay  his  head.”  Another  of  his  disciples  said  to  him,  “Sir,  let  me 

1  Commander  of  one  hundred  men  in  the  Roman  army. 

2  In  Palestine  in  thoso  days  people  in  taking  meals  always  reclined  on 
couches  around  the  table. 


14  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


first  go  and  bury  my  father.”  But  Jesus  said  to  him,  “  Follow 
me,  and  let  the  dead  bury  their  own  dead.” 

Then  he  got  into  the  boat  and  his  disciples  followed  him.  Soon 
a  great  storm  broke  on  the  lake  so  that  the  boat  was  hidden 
under  the  waves;  but  he  was  sleeping.  His  disciples  came  to 
him  and  woke  him  and  said,  “Master,  save  us.  We  are  going 
down.”  But  he  said,  “Why  are  you  frightened,  you  men  of 
little  faith?”  Then  he  rose  and  rebuked  the  winds  and  the 
lake,  and  there  was  a  great  calm.  The  men  were  astonished 
and  said,  “What  sort  of  a  person  is  this,  whom  even  the  winds 
and  the  lake  obey?” 

When  he  arrived  at  the  other  side,  the  country  of  the 
Gadarenes,  there  met  him  two  demoniacs  coming  out  of  the 
tombs.  They  were  very  fierce,  so  that  no  one  was  able  to  pass 
along  that  road.  Suddenly  they  shouted,  “Son  of  God,  what 
have  you  to  do  with  us?  Have  you  come  here  to  torment  us 
before  the  time?”  There  was  far  off  from  them  a  herd  of 
many  swine  feeding.  The  demons  begged  him,  “If  you  cast  us 
out,  send  us  into  the  herd  of  swine.”  He  said  to  them,  “Go.” 
So  they  went  out  and  entered  into  the  swine.  Then  suddenly 
the  whole  herd  rushed  down  the  steep  bank  into  the  lake  and 
died  in  the  waves. 

The  herdsmen  fled  and  went  away  to  the  town  and  told 
everything,  including  what  had  happened  to  the  demoniacs. 
Then  at  once  all  the  town  came  out  to  meet  Jesus,  and  when 
they  saw  him  they  begged  him  to  depart  from  their  neighbor¬ 
hood. 


IX 

So  Jesus  got  into  the  boat  and  crossed  over  and  came  to  his  own 
city.  They  brought  to  him  a  paralytic  lying  on  a  bed.  When 
Jesus  saw  their  faith  he  said  to  the  paralytic,  “Have  courage, 
boy,  your  sins  are  forgiven.”  At  once  some  of  the  scribes  said 
to  themselves,  “This  man  is  speaking  profane  words.”  Jesus 
knew  their  thoughts  and  said,  “Why  are  you  thinking  evil 
thoughts  in  your  hearts?  For  which  is  easier  to  say,  ‘Your  sins 
are  forgiven/  or  to  say,  ‘Rise  and  walk’?  But  that  you  may 
know  that  the  Son  of  Man  has  authority  on  earth  to  forgive 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  15 


sins  ”  — •  then  he  said  to  the  paralytic,  “  Rise,  take  up  your  bed 
and  go  to  your  house.”  Thereupon  he  rose  and  went  away  to 
his  house.  The  crowds  that  saw  it  were  astonished  and  gave 
glory  to  God,  who  had  given  such  power  to  men. 

As  Jesus  was  passing  along  from  there,  he  saw  a  man  named 
Matthew  sitting  at  the  tax  office.  Jesus  said  to  him,  “  Follow 
me,”  and  he  arose  and  followed  him.  It  happened  that,  while 
he  was  reclining  at  table  in  the  house,  many  tax  collectors  and 
sinners  came  in  and  reclined  at  the  table  with  Jesus  and  his 
disciples.  When  the  Pharisees  saw  it,  they  said  to  hi's  disciples, 
“  Why  does  your  teacher  eat  with  tax  collectors  and  sinners?” 
Jesus  heard  it  and  said,  “  The  strong  have  no  need  of  a  physician, 
but  the  sick  have.  Go  and  learn  what  this  means:  ‘I  wish  for 
kindness,  and  not  for  sacrifice.’  I  have  not  come  to  call  righteous 
people,  but  sinners.” 

Then  the  disciples  of  John  came  to  Jesus  and  said,  “Why 
are  we  and  the  Pharisees  fasting  while  your  disciples  are  not 
fasting?”  He  said,  “Can  the  bridal  party  fast  while  the  bride¬ 
groom  is  with  them?  But  days  will  come  when  the  bride¬ 
groom  will  be  taken  from  them,  and  then  they  will  fast.  No  one 
puts  a  patch  of  unshrunk  cloth  on  an  old  cloak,  for  the  filling 
pulls  away  from  the  cloak  and  the  result  is  a  worse  tear.  Nor 
do  they  pour  new  wine  into  old  wine-skins,  for  if  they  do  the 
skins  burst.  So  the  wine  is  spilled  and  the  skins  are  ruined. 
But  they  put  new  wine  into  fresh  wine-skins  and  both  are 
preserved.” 

While  Jesus  was  talking  to  them,  a  synagogue  Director  came 
and  bowed  down  before  him  and  said,  “  My  daughter  has  just 
died;  but  come  and  lay  your  hand  upon  her  and  she  will  live.” 
Jesus  rose  and  followed  him,  and  so  did  his  disciples.  Suddenly 
a  woman  who  had  been  suffering  for  twelve  years  from  hemor¬ 
rhage  came  up  behind  him  and  touched  the  tassel  of  his  cloak. 
For  she  said  to  herself,  “If  I  touch  only  his  cloak,  I  shall  be 
healed.”  But  Jesus  turned  and,  seeing  her,  said,  “Courage, 
daughter,  your  faith  has  healed  you.”  The  woman  was  cured 
from  that  hour. 

Jesus  entered  the  house  of  the  Director  and  saw  the  flute- 
players  and  the  crowd  that  was  noisily  lamenting,  and  he  said, 


16  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


“ Leave  the  room,  for  the  girl  is  not  dead;  she  is  sleeping.” 
They  laughed  at  him.  But  after  the  crowd  had  been  turned 
out,  he  went  in  and  took  hold  of  her  hand  and  the  girl  rose  up. 
The  report  of  this  spread  through  all  that  country. 

As  Jesus  was  going  along  from  there,  two  blind  men  followed 
him,  calling  out,  “Have  pity  on  us,  Son  of  David.”  After  he 
had  entered  the  house,  these  blind  men  came  to  him.  Jesus 
said  to  them,  “  Do  you  believe  that  I  can  do  this?”  They  said, 
“Yes,  Sir.”  Then  he  touched  their  eyes  and  said,  “According 
to  your  faith  be  it  to  you.”  And  their  eyes  were  opened.  Jesus 
sternly  commanded  them,  “Be  sure  and  let  no  one  know  of 
this.”  But  they  went  out  and  spread  his  fame  through  all  that 
country. 

As  they  were  going  out,  a  dumb  man  who  was  also  a  de¬ 
moniac  was  brought  to  him.  After  the  demon  had  been  cast 
out,  the  dumb  man  spoke.  The  crowd  wondered  and  said, 
“Never  was  anything  like  this  seen  in  Israel.”  But  the  Phari¬ 
sees  said,  “Through  the  Chief  of  the  demons  he  casts  out  the 
demons.” 

Jesus  made  a  circuit  through  all  the  cities  and  villages,  teach¬ 
ing  in  their  synagogues,  proclaiming  the  good  news  of  the  king¬ 
dom^  and  healing  every  disease  and  every  infirmity.  Seeing 
the  crowds,  he  was  touched  with  compassion  for  them,  for  they 
were  torn  and  flung  down  like  sheep  that  have  no  shepherd. 
Then  he  said  to  his  disciples,  “The  harvest  is  great,  but  the 
laborers  are  few.  Pray  to  the  Master  of  the  harvest  to  rush 
out  laborers  into  his  harvest.” 


X 

Then,  calling  to  him  his  twelve  disciples,  he  gave  them  au¬ 
thority  over  impure  spirits  to  cast  them  out,  and  power  to  cure 
every  disease  and  every  infirmity.  The  names  of  the  twelve 
apostles  are  these:  Simon  who  is  called  Peter,  and  Andrew  his 
brother,  James  the  son  of  Zebedee  and  John  his  brother,  Philip 
and  Bartholomew,  Thomas  and  Matthew  the  tax  collector, 
James  the  son  of  Alphseus  and  Thaddseus,  Simon  the  Zealot, 
and  Judas  Iscariot,  the  one  who  betrayed  him.  These  twelve 
Jesus  sent  out  and  directed  them: 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  17 


11  Do  not  go  into  anyway  of  the  Gentiles.  Do  not  enter  into 
any  city  of  the  Samaritans.  But  go  rather  to  the  lost  sheep  of 
the  house  of  Israel.  As  you  go  proclaim,  The  kingdom  of  heaven 
is  at  hand.  Heal  sick  men,  raise  dead  men,  cleanse  lepers,  cast 
out  demons.  You  received  without  paying,  give  without  being 
paid.  Provide  no  gold  nor  silver  nor  copper  in  your  belts,  no  bag 
for  the  road,  nor  two  tunics  nor  shoes  nor  stick,  for  the  work¬ 
man  has  a  right  to  his  food.  Whatever  city  or  village  you  go 
into,  inquire  who  in  it  is  worthy  and  stay  with  him  until  you 
leave  the  place.  When  you  enter  the  house,  salute  it.  If  the 
house  is  worthy,  let  your  peace  come  upon  it;  but  if  it  is  not 
worthy,  let  your  peace  return  to  you.  If  any  one  does  not 
receive  you  or  hear  your  words,  as  you  go  out  of  that  house  or 
that  city  shake  off  the  dust  of  your  feet.  I  tell  you  truly  it  will 
be  more  tolerable  for  the  land  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  in  the 
day  of  judgment  than  for  that  city.  See,  I  am  sending  you 
out  as  sheep  in  the  midst  of  wolves.  Be  as  wise  as  serpents 
and  as  pure  as  doves.  Be  on  your  guard  against  men.  For  they 
will  deliver  you  up  to  councils,  and  in  their  synagogues  they 
will  scourge  you,  and  you  will  be  brought  before  governors 
and  kings  for  my  sake,  for  a  witness  to  them  and  to  the  Gen¬ 
tiles.  But  when  they  deliver  you  up,  do  not  worry  how  or  what 
you  are  to  speak.  For  it  will  be  given  to  you  in  that  hour  what 
you  are  to  say.  For  it  is  not  you  who  speak,  but  the  Spirit 
of  your  Father  that  speaks  within  you.  Brother  will  betray 
brother  to  death,  and  father  will  betray  child,  and  children 
will  rise  up  against  parents  and  put  them  to  death.  And  you 
will  be  hated  by  all  for  my  name’s  sake.  He  who  endures  to 
the  end,  that  one  will  be  saved. 

“  When  they  persecute  you  in  one  city,  flee  to  another.  I  tell 
you  truly,  you  will  not  have  gone  through  the  cities  of  Israel 
before  the  Son  of  Man  comes.  The  scholar  is  not  above  his 
teacher,  nor  the  servant  above  his  master.  It  is  sufficient  for 
the  scholar  to  fare  like  his  teacher  and  for  the  servant  to  fare  like 
his  master.  If  they  have  called  the  master  of  the  house  Beelze- 
bul,  how  much  more  the  members  of  his  household.  Do  not  be 
afraid  of  them;  for  there  is  nothirjg  hidden  which  will  not  be 
revealed,  nor  secret  which  will  not  be  known.  What  I  say  to 


18  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


you  in  darkness  speak  in  the  light,  and  what  is  whispered  into 
your  ear  proclaim  on  the  housetops.  Do  not  fear  before  those 
who  kill  the  body  but  cannot  kill  the  soul.  Rather  fear  him 
who  can  destroy  both  soul  and  body  in  Gehenna.  Are  not  two 
sparrows  sold  for  a  penny?  Yet  one  of  them  will  not  fall  on  the 
ground  without  your  Father.  But  even  the  hairs  of  your  head 
are  all  numbered.  So  do  not  fear.  You  are  worth  more  than 
many  sparrows.  Every  one  who  shall  confess  me  before  men 
I  too  will  confess  before  my  Father  in  heaven.  Every  one  who 
shall  disown  me  before  men  I  too  will  disown  before  my  Father 
in  heaven. 

“Do  not  think  that  I  came  to  send  peace  on  the  earth.  I 
came  not  to  send  peace,  but  a  sword.  For  I  came  to  set  a  man 
against  his  father  and  a  daughter  against  her  mother  and  a 
daughter-in-law  against  her  mother-in-law.  A  man’s  enemies 
will  be  the  members  of  his  own  household.  He  who  loves 
father  or  mother  more  than  me  is  not  worthy  of  me.  He  who 
loves  son  or  daughter  more  than  me  is  not  worthy  of  me.  Who¬ 
ever  does  not  take  his  cross  and  follow  after  me  is  not  worthy  of 
me.  He  who  finds  his  life  will  lose  it,  and  he  who  loses  his  life 
for  my  sake  will  find  it.  He  who  receives  you  receives  me,  and 
he  who  receives  me  receives  him  that  sent  me.  He  who  re¬ 
ceives  a  prophet  because  he  is  a  prophet  will  get  a  prophet’s 
reward,  and  he  who  receives  a  righteous  man  because  he  is  a 
righteous  man  will  get  a  righteous  man’s  reward.  Whoever 
gives  merely  a  cup  of  cold  water  to  one  of  these  little  ones  to 
drink  because  he  is  a  disciple,  I  tell  you  truly  he  will  not  lose 
his  reward.” 

XI 

When  Jesus  had  finished  instructing  his  twelve  disciples,  he 
went  away  from  that  place  to  teach  and  preach  in  the 
towns. 

John  had  heard  in  prison  of  the  doings  of  the  Christ,  and  he 
sent  by  some  of  his  disciples  to  ask,  “Are  you  ‘the  Coming  One’ 
or  are  we  to  expect  some  other?”  Jesus  answered  them,  “Go 
and  tell  John  what  you  hear  and  see.  Blind  men  recover  sight, 
lame  men  walk,  lepers  are  cleansed,  deaf  men  hear,  dead  men 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  19 


are  raised,  and  poor  men  have  the  good  news  proclaimed  to 
them.  Blessed  is  he  who  does  not  mistake  regarding  me!” 

As  these  men  went  away,  Jesus  began  to  speak  to  the  crowds 
about  John:  “What  did  you  go  out  into  the  wilderness  to  see? 
A  reed  shaken  by  the  wind?  But  what  did  you  go  out  to  see? 
A  man  dressed  in  soft  clothes?  Those  who  wear  soft  clothes 
are  in  kings’  palaces.  But  why  did  you  go  out?  To  see  a 
prophet?  Yes,  I  tell  you,  and  more  than  a  prophet.  This  is  the 
one  of  whom  it  was  written,  ‘Behold,  I  send  my  messenger 
before  thy  face,  who  will  prepare  thy  way  before  thee.’  I  tell 
you  truly  there  has  not  arisen  among  those  born  of  women  a 
greater  than  John  the  Baptist.  But  any  inferior  in  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  is  greater  than  he.  From  the  days  of  John  the  Baptist 
until  now  the  kingdom  of  heaven  has  been  suffering  violence 
and  violent  men  have  been  seizing  it.  For  all  the  prophets 
and  the  Law  prophesied  until  John.  If  you  are  willing  to  believe 
it,  he  is  Elijah  who  was  to  come.  Whoever  has  ears,  let  him  hear. 

“To  what  shall  I  compare  this  generation?  It  is  like  children 
sitting  in  the  market-places  who  call  to  the  others,  ‘We  played 
the  flute  to  you  and  you  did  not  dance;  we  mourned  and  you 
did  not  beat  your  breasts.’  For  John  came  neither  eating  nor 
drinking,  and  they  say,  ‘He  has  a  demon.’  The  Son  of  Man 
came  eating  and  drinking,  and  they  say,  ‘  See  a  glutton  and  a 
wine-drinker;  a  friend  of  tax  collectors  and  sinners.’  Yet 
wisdom  is  proved  to  be  in  the  right  by  her  works.” 

Then  he  began  to  reproach  the  cities  in  which  most  of  his 
miracles  had  been  done,  because  they  had  not  repented:  “Alas 
for  you,  Chorazin!  Alas  for  you,  Bethsaida!  For  if  in  Tyre  and 
Sidon  the  miracles  had  been  done  which  were  done  in  you, 
they  would  long  ago  have  repented  in  sackcloth  and  ashes. 
But  I  tell  you,  it  will  be  more  tolerable  for  Tyre  and  Sidon  in 
the  day  of  judgment  than  for  you.  And  you,  Capernaum! 
No,  you  will  not  be  exalted  to  heaven.  You  will  be  abased  to 
Hades.  Because  if  those  miracles  which  were  done  in  you  had 
been  done  in  Sodom,  it  would  have  remained  until  this  day.  But 
I  tell  you  it  will  be  more  tolerable  for  the  land  of  Sodom  in  the 
day  of  judgment  than  for  you.” 

At  that  time  Jesus  said,  “I  thank  thee,  Father,  Lord  of 


20  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


heaven  and  earth,  that  thou  hast  hidden  these  things  from  the 
wise  and  prudent  and  hast  revealed  them  to  babes.  Yes,  Father, 
I  thank  thee  that  such  was  thy  good  pleasure. 

“  All  things  have  been  delivered  to  me  by  my  Father,  and  no 
one  knows  the  Son  but  the  Father,  nor  does  any  one  know  the 
Father  but  the  Son  and  he  to  whom  the  Son  may  choose  to 
reveal  him. 

“Come  to  me,  all  you  who  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I 
will  give  you  rest.  Take  my  yoke  upon  you  and  learn  from 
me,  for  I  am  gentle  and  lowly  in  heart  and  you  will  find  rest  for 
your  souls.  For  my  yoke  is  easy  and  my  burden  is  light.” 

XU 

At  that  time  Jesus  went  on  the  Sabbath  through  the  grain- 
fields.  His  disciples  were  hungry  and  began  to  pluck  heads  of 
grain  to  eat.  When  the  Pharisees  saw  it  they  said,  “See,  your 
disciples  are  doing  what  is  not  allowable  on  the  Sabbath.” 
He  said  to  them,  “Have  you  not  read  what  David  did,  when 
he  and  his  men  were  hungry?  how  he  entered  the  house  of  God 
and  ate  the  consecrated  bread  which  it  was  not  allowable  either 
for  him  to  eat  or  for  his  men,  but  only  for  the  priests?  Or  have 
you  not  read  in  the  Law  that  on  the  Sabbath  the  priests  in  the 
Temple  break  the  Sabbath  and  yet  are  guiltless?  I  tell  you 
that  something  greater  than  the  Temple  is  here.  If  you  had 
understood  this,  ‘I  desire  kindness  and  not  sacrifice/  you  would 
not  have  condemned  the  guiltless.  For  the  Son  of  Man  is  lord 
of  the  Sabbath.” 

Passing  over  from  there,  he  came  into  their  synagogue.  A 
man  was  there  with  a  withered  hand.  They  asked  Jesus,  “Is  it 
allowable  to  heal  on  the  Sabbath?  ”  —  so  that  they  might  have 
something  to  accuse  him  of.  He  said  to  them,  “What  man 
is  there  of  you  who,  if  he  has  one  sheep,  and  it  falls  into  a  pit 
on  the  Sabbath,  will  not  lay  hold  on  it  and  lift  it  out?  But  how 
much  more  is  a  man  worth  than  a  sheep !  So  it  is  allowable  to 
do  good  on  the  Sabbath.”  Then  he  said  to  the  man,  “Stretch 
out  your  hand.”  He  stretched  it  out  and  it  was  restored  as 
sound  as  the  other.  The  Pharisees  went  out  and  plotted  against 
him  how  they  could  destroy  him. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  21 


But  Jesus  was  aware  of  it  and  went  away  from  that  place. 
Many  followed  him  and  he  healed  them  all;  but  he  gave  strict 
orders  to  them  not  to  make  him  known.  It  was  in  fulfillment 
of  these  words  of  Isaiah  the  prophet,  “ Behold  my  servant  whom 
I  have  chosen,  the  Beloved  in  whom  my  soul  delights.  I  will 
put  my  spirit  upon  him  and  he  will  proclaim  justice  to  the 
Gentiles.  He  will  not  strive  nor  cry,  nor  will  any  one  hear  his 
voice  in  the  streets.  A  bruised  reed  he  will  not  break,  and  a  low- 
burning  wick  he  will  not  quench,  until  he  has  carried  justice  to 
victory.  In  his  name  will  Gentiles  hope.” 

Then  there  was  brought  to  Jesus  a  demoniac,  blind  and 
dumb.  He  healed  him  so  that  he  spoke  and  saw.  All  the 
crowds  were  astonished  and  said,  “Is  not  this  man  the  Son  of 
David?”  The  Pharisees  when  they  heard  it  said,  “This  man 
casts  out  demons  only  through  Beelzebul  the  Chief  of  the 
demons.”  But  he  knew  their  thoughts  and  said  to  them, 
“Every  kingdom  divided  against  itself  becomes  a  desolation, 
and  no  city  or  house  divided  against  itself  will  stand.  If  Satan 
casts  out  Satan,  he  is  divided  against  himself.  How  then  will 
his  kingdom  stand?  If  I  by  Beelzebul  am  casting  out  demons, 
by  whom  do  your  sons  cast  them  out?  Therefore  they  shall  bo 
your  judges.  But  if  I  am  casting  out  demons  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  then  the  kingdom  of  God  is  right  upon  you.  How  can 
any  one  enter  the  house  of  a  strong  man  and  seize  his  goods 
unless  he  first  binds  the  strong  man?  Then  he  can  plunder  his 
house. 

“He  who  is  not  with  me  is  against  me,  and  he  who  does  not 
gather  with  me  scatters.  Therefore  I  say  to  you,  every  sin 
and  profane  word  will  be  forgiven  to  men,  but  any  profane 
word  against  the  Spirit  will  not  be  forgiven.  Whoever  says  a 
word  against  the  Son  of  Man  will  be  forgiven,  but  whoever 
speaks  against  the  Holy  Spirit  will  not  be  forgiven  either  in 
this  world  or  in  the  world  to  come.  Either  make  the  tree  good 
and  its  fruit  good  or  make  the  tree  bad  and  its  fruit  bad.  For 
from  the  fruit  the  tree  is  known.  Brood  of  vipers,  how  can  you 
who  are  evil  speak  good  things?  For  from  the  overflow  of  the 
heart  the  mouth  speaks.  The  good  man  out  of  his  good  treasury 
pours  out  good  things,  and  the  bad  man  out  of  his  bad  treasury 


22  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


pours  out  bad  things.  I  tell  you,  for  every  idle  word  that  men 
speak  they  will  give  full  account  in  the  day  of  judgment,  for 
from  your  words  you  will  be  justified  and  from  your  words  you 
will  be  condemned.” 

Then  some  of  the  scribes  and  Pharisees  said  to  him,  “Teacher, 
we  wish  to  see  a  sign  from  you.”  He  answered  them,  “A 
wicked  and  adulterous  generation  seeks  for  a  sign.  But  no 
sign  will  be  given  to  it  except  the  sign  of  the  prophet  Jonah. 
For  as  Jonah  was  in  the  belly  of  the  whale  three  days  and  three 
nights,  so  will  the  Son  of  Man  be  in  the  heart  of  the  earth  three 
days  and  three  nights.  The  men  of  Nineveh  will  stand  up  at 
the  judgment  with  this  generation  and  will  condemn  it,  for 
they  repented  at  the  preaching  of  Jonah,  and  more  than  Jonah 
is  here.  The  Queen  of  the  South  will  rise  up  at  the  judgment 
with  this  generation  and  will  condemn  it,  for  she  came  from  the 
ends  of  the  earth  to  hear  the  wisdom  of  Solomon,  and  more  than 
Solomon  is  here. 

“When  the  impure  spirit  has  gone  out  of  a  man,  he  passes 
through  waterless  places  seeking  rest  and  finds  none.  Then  he 
says,  ‘I  will  return  into  my  house  that  I  left/  And  he  comes 
and  finds  it  vacant,  swept  and  in  order.  Then  he  goes  and  takes 
with  him  seven  other  spirits  worse  than  himself,  and  they  enter 
and  live  there.  So  the  last  state  of  that  man  becomes  worse 
than  the  first.  Just  so  will  it  be  with  this  wicked  generation.” 

While  Jesus  was  still  speaking  to  the  crowds,  his  mother  and 
his  brothers  were  standing  outside,  trying  to  speak  to  him. 
Some  one  told  him,  but  he  replied,  “Who  is  my  mother  and 
who  are  my  brothers?”  Then,  stretching  out  his  hand  over 
his  disciples,  he  said,  “See  my  mother  and  my  brothers!  For 
whoever  does  the  will  of  my  Father  in  heaven  is  my  brother  and 
sister  and  mother.” 


XIII 

On  that  day  Jesus  went  out  of  the  house  and  sat  beside  the 
lake.  Great  crowds  gathered  to  him  so  that  he  got  into  a  boat 
and  sat  in  it,  while  all  the  crowd  stood  on  the  shore.  He  spoke 
at  length  to  them  in  illustrations.  “A  sower,”  he  said,  “went 
out  to  sow.  And  as  he  was  sowing  some  seeds  fell  at  the  road- 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  23 


side  and  the  birds  came  and  ate  them  up.  Others  fell  on 
rocky  places  where  they  had  not  much  soil,  and  at  once  they 
sprang  up  because  they  had  no  depth  of  soil.  But  when  the  sun 
rose  they  were  scorched,  and  because  they  had  no  roots  they 
withered.  Others  fell  among  thorns  and  the  thorns  grew  up 
and  choked  them.  Others  fell  on  good  ground  and  made  a 
yield,  some  of  a  hundred  fold,  some  of  sixty  fold,  some  of 
thirty  fold.  He  who  has  ears,  let  him  hear.” 

Then  his  disciples  came  to  him  and  said,  “  Why  do  you  talk 
to  them  in  figures  of  speech?”  He  answered,  “ Because  to 
you  it  is  granted  to  know  the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  but  to  those  people  it  is  not  granted.  For  whoever  has, 
to  him  will  be  given  and  he  will  have  abundance.  But  whoever 
has  not,  from  him  will  be  taken  even  what  he  has.  For  this  rea¬ 
son  I  speak  to  them  in  figures,  because,  though  they  see,  they  do 
not  see,  and  though  they  hear,  they  do  not  hear  nor  understand, 
and  to  them  is  fulfilled  the  prophecy  of  Isaiah:  ‘You  will  plainly 
hear,  but  you  will  not  understand,  and  you  will  clearly  look,  but 
you  will  not  see.  For  the  heart  of  these  people  has  grown  fat, 
and  with  their  ears  they  are  dull  of  hearing  and  their  eyes  they 
have  closed ;  so  that  they  may  not  see  with  their  eyes  and  hear 
with  their  ears  and  understand  with  their  heart  and  repent 
and  I  should  heal  them/  But  blessed  are  your  eyes,  for  they 
see,  and  your  ears,  for  they  hear.  I  tell  you  truly  many  proph¬ 
ets  and  righteous  men  desired  to  see  the  things  you  see,  but 
they  did  not  see  them,  and  to  hear  the  things  you  hear,  but 
they  did  not  hear  them.  So  listen  to  the  story  of  the  sower: 
When  any  one  hears  the  message  of  the  kingdom  and  does  not 
understand  it,  the  Evil  One  comes  and  snatches  away  what 
was  sown  in  his  heart.  This  is  the  man  who  receives  seed  by 
the  roadside.  He  who  received  seed  on  stony  ground  is  he  who 
hears  the  word  and  receives  it  at  once  with  joy,  yet  has  no 
root  in  himself,  but  is  inconstant,  and  when  trouble  or  persecu¬ 
tion  arises  on  account  of  the  message  he  stumbles  and  falls. 
He  who  received  seed  among  thorns  is  he  who  hears  the  mes¬ 
sage,  but  the  care  of  the  world  and  the  deceitfulness  of  wealth 
choke  the  message  and  it  becomes  fruitless.  He  who  received 
seed  in  good  ground  is  he  who  hears  the  message  and  under- 


24  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


stands  it  and  makes  a  yield  of  a  hundred,  or  sixty,  or  thirty 
fold.” 

Another  illustration  he  put  before  them.  He  said,  “The 
kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  a  man  who  sowed  good  seed  in  his 
field.  But  while  people  were  sleeping  his  enemy  came  and 
sowed  weeds  through  the  wheat,  and  went  away.  When  the 
blades  shot  up  and  formed  grain,  the  weeds  also  appeared. 
Then  the  servants  of  the  owner  came  and  said  to  him,  ‘  Sir,  did 
you  not  sow  good  seed  in  your  field?  Where  do  the  weeds  come 
from?’  He  replied,  ‘An  enemy  did  this?  The  servants  said  to 
him,  ‘Do  you  want  us  to  go  and  gather  them  up?’  He  said, 
‘No,  for  in  gathering  up  the  weeds  you  might  pull  up  the  wheat 
along  with  them.  Let  both  grow  together  until  the  harvest. 
At  the  time  of  harvest  I  will  say  to  the  harvesters,  Gather  up 
first  the  weeds  and  tie  them  into  bundles  for  burning,  but 
bring  the  wheat  into  my  granary?  ” 

Another  illustration  he  put  before  them.  He  said,  “The 
kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  a  mustard  seed  which  a  man  took 
and  sowed  in  his  field.  It  is  the  least  of  all  the  seeds,  but  when 
it  grows  up  it  is  greater  than  the  garden  herbs  and  becomes  a 
tree,  so  that  the  birds  of  the  air  come  and  live  in  its  branches.” 

Another  illustration  he  spoke  to  them.  “The  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  like  yeast  which  a  woman  took  and  hid  in  three 
measures  of  flour  until  it  was  all  leavened.” 

All  of  these  things  Jesus  spoke  to  them  in  illustrations,  and 
without  an  illustration  he  spoke  nothing  to  them,  to  fulfill  the 
words  of  the  prophet  when  he  said,  “I  will  open  my  mouth  in 
illustrations,  I  will  utter  things  hidden  since  the  foundation  of 
the  world.” 

Then  leaving  the  crowds  he  came  into  the  house,  and  his 
disciples  came  to  him  and  said,  “Explain  to  us  the  illustration 
of  the  weeds  of  the  field.”  He  replied,  “He  who  sows  the  good 
seeds  is  the  Son  of  Man.  The  field  is  the  world.  The  good  seeds 
are  the  sons  of  the  kingdom.  The  weeds  are  the  sons  of  the 
Evil  One.  The  enemy  that  sowed  them  is  the  Devil.  The 
harvest  is  the  end  of  the  world.  The  reapers  are  angels.  As  the 
weeds  are  gathered  up  and  burned  with  fire,  so  shall  it  be  at  the 
end  of  the  world.  The  Son  of  Man  will  send  his  angels  and 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  25 


they  will  gather  up  from  his  kingdom  all  stumbling-blocks  and 
those  who  practice  lawlessness,  and  will  cast  them  into  the 
furnace  of  fire.  There  will  be  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 
Then  will  the  righteous  shine  out  like  the  sun  in  the  kingdom 
of  their  Father.  He  who  has  ears,  let  him  hear. 

“The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  treasure  hidden  in  a  field, 
which  a  man  finds  and  hides  again,  and  for  joy  goes  and  sells 
all  that  he  has  and  buys  that  field. 

“Again  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  a  merchant  in  search  of 
fine  pearls.  Having  found  one  very  precious  pearl  he  went  away 
and  sold  everything  that  he  had  and  bought  it. 

“Again  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  a  net  cast  into  the  lake 
that  gathered  up  every  sort.  But  when  it  was  filled  they  drew 
it  to  the  beach  and  sat  down  and  gathered  the  good  into  pails, 
but  threw  the  worthless  away.  So  will  it  be  at  the  end  of  the 
world.  The  angels  will  come  forth  and  will  separate  the  wicked 
from  among  the  righteous  and  will  cast  them  into  the  furnace 
of  fire.  There  will  be  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth.  Have  you 
understood  all  these  things?”  They  said,  “Yes.”  He  said  to 
them,  “Therefore  every  scribe  educated  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  like  a  man  who  is  a  householder  who  brings  out  from 
his  storehouse  new  things  and  old  things.” 

When  Jesus  had  finished  these  illustrations,  he  went  away 
from  that  place.  Then  he  came  to  his  native  place  and  taught 
them  in  their  synagogue  so  that  they  were  astonished  and  said, 
“Where  did  this  man  get  this  wisdom  and  these  miracles? 
Is  not  this  the  carpenter’s  son?  Is  not  his  mother  named  Mary 
and  his  brothers  James  and  Joseph  and  Simon  and  Judas? 
And  his  sisters  — •  are  they  not  all  here  with  us?  Where  then 
did  he  get  all  this?  ”  So  they  fell  into  mistake  about  him.  But 
Jesus  said  to  them,  “A  prophet  is  not  without  honor  except  in 
his  native  place  and  in  his  own  house.”  Because  of  their  un¬ 
belief  he  worked  there  but  few  miracles. 

• 

XIV 

At  that  time  Herod  the  Prince  heard  the  reports  about  Jesus 
and  said  to  his  servants,  “This  is  John  the  Baptist.  He  has 
risen  from  the  dead  and  so  miraculous  powers  are  working  in 


26  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


him.”  For  Herod  had  arrested  John  and  had  bound  him  and 
put  him  in  prison  on  account  of  Herodias,  his  brother  Philip’s 
wife.  For  John  had  said  to  him,  “It  is  not  lawful  for  you  to 
have  her.”  Although  he  wished  to  kill  him,  he  was  afraid  of  the 
people  because  they  held  him  for  a  prophet.  But  when  Herod’s 
birthday  came,  the  daughter  of  Herodias  danced  in  the  midst 
and  pleased  Herod,  so  that  he  promised  with  an  oath  that  he 
would  give  her  whatever  she  asked.  She,  prompted  by  her 
mother,  said,  “Give  me  here  on  a  platter  the  head  of  John  the 
Baptist.”  The  king  was  grieved,  but  on  account  of  his  oaths 
and  his  guests  he  ordered  it  to  be  given  her,  and  he  sent  and 
had  John  beheaded  in  the  prison.  The  head  was  brought  in 
on  a  platter  and  was  given  to  the  girl  and  she  bore  it  to  her 
mother.  The  disciples  of  John  came  and  took  the  body  and 
buried  it,  and  then  they  came  and  told  Jesus. 

Upon  hearing  of  it,  Jesus  went  away  in  a  boat  privately  to 
an  uninhabited  place.  But  the  people  heard  of  it  and  followed 
him  by  land  from  the  towns.  As  he  got  out  of  the  boat,  he  saw 
a  great  crowd  and  he  had  compassion  on  them  and  healed  their 
sick.  When  evening  had  come  on,  his  disciples  came  to  him  and 
said,  “This  is  an  uninhabited  place  and  the  time  is  already  late ; 
send  away  the  crowd  so  that  they  may  go  into  the  villages  and 
buy  themselves  food.”  But  Jesus  said  to  them,  “They  do  not 
need  to  go  away.  Give  them  food  yourselves.”  They  said  to 
him,  “We  have  here  nothing  but  five  loaves  and  two  fishes.” 
He  said,  “Bring  them  to  me.”  Then  he  commanded  the 
crowd  to  recline  on  the  grass,  and  he  took  the  five  loaves  and 
the  two  fishes  and  looked  up  to  heaven  and  asked  a  blessing. 
Then  he  broke  up  the  loaves  and  gave  them  to  his  disciples, 
and  the  disciples  distributed  to  the  crowd.  All  ate  and  had 
abundance,  and  they  took  up  twelve  baskets  full  of  the  broken 
pieces  that  remained  over.  Those  who  ate  were  about  five 
thousand  men,  besides  women  and  children. 

Then  he  made  his  disciples  get  into  the  boat  and  go  on 
across  while  he  was  dismissing  the  crowd.  After  dismissing 
the  crowd,  he  went  up  on  the  mountain  by  himself  to  pray. 
When  evening  came,  he  was  there  alone.  The  boat  was  already 
far  out  from  land,  beaten  by  the  waves,  for  the  wind  was  against 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  27 


them.  In  the  fourth  watch  of  the  night,  he  came  to  them  walk¬ 
ing  on  the  water.  When  the  disciples  saw  him  walking  on  the 
water,  they  were  terrified,  saying  that  it  was  a  ghost,  and  they 
cried  out  with  fear.  But  at  once  Jesus  spoke  to  them  and 
said,  “Courage.  It  is  I.  Do  not  be  afraid.”  Peter  answered, 
“Sir,  if  it  is  you,  bid  me  to  come  to  you  on  the  water.”  Jesus 
said,  “Come.”  Then  Peter  got  out  of  the  boat  and  walked  on 
the  water  and  came  to  Jesus.  But  seeing  the  wind  he  became 
frightened,  and,  beginning  to  sink,  he  cried  out,  “Sir,  save 
me!”  At  once  Jesus  stretched  out  his  hand  and  grasped  him 
and  said,  “O  man  of  little  faith,  why  did  you  doubt?”  After 
they  got  into  the  boat,  the  wind  stopped.  Then  the  men  in  the 
boat  bowed  down  to  him  and  said,  “Truly  you  are  the  Son  of 
God.” 

Having  crossed,  they  came  to  land  at  Gennesaret.  When  the 
men  of  that  place  recognized  him,  they  sent  into  all  that 
neighborhood  and  brought  to  him  all  the  sick  and  begged  him 
that  they  might  touch  merely  the  tassel  of  his  cloak,  and  all 
who  touched  were  cured. 


XV 

Then  scribes  and  Pharisees  came  to  Jesus  from  Jerusalem  and 
said,  “Why  do  your  disciples  violate  the  tradition  of  our  fore¬ 
fathers?  For  they  do  not  wash  their  hands  when  they  eat 
food.”  He  answered  them,  “  And  why  do  you  violate  the 
command  of  God  for  the  sake  of  your  tradition?  For  God  said, 
‘Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother/  and,  ‘If  any  one  speaks 
evil  of  father  or  mother,  let  him  surely  died  But  you  say,  ‘  Who¬ 
ever  says  to  his  father  or  to  his  mother,  Whatever  benefit  you 
get  from  me  is  now  dedicated  to  God,  he  shall  not  honor  his 
father  or  his  mother.’  So  you  have  nullified  the  command  of 
God  for  the  sake  of  your  tradition.  You  hypocrites,  well  did 
Isaiah  prophesy  of  you  when  he  said,  ‘This  people  honor  me 
with  their  lips,  but  their  heart  is  far  from  me.  In  vain  they  wor¬ 
ship  me  while  they  teach  as  precepts  the  commands  of  men.’  ” 
Calling  the  crowd  to  him  he  said  to  them,  “Hear  and  under¬ 
stand.  Not  what  enters  the  mouth  defiles  a  man,  but  what 
comes  out  of  the  mouth  —  that  defiles  a  man.” 


28  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


Then  his  disciples  came  to  him  and  said,  “  Do  you  know  that 
the  Pharisees  were  shocked  when  they  heard  what  you  said?” 
He  replied,  “  Every  plant  which  my  heavenly  Father  did  not 
plant  will  be  uprooted.  Beware  of  them.  They  are  blind 
guides  of  the  blind.  If  the  blind  leads  the  blind,  both  will  fall 
into  the  ditch.”  Peter  said,  “  Explain  to  us  your  figure.”  Jesus 
answered,  “  Are  even  you  without  insight?  Do  you  not  know 
that  everything  that  goes  into  the  mouth  passes  into  the 
stomach  and  is  cast  out  into  the  sewer?  But  the  things  that 
come  out  of  the  mouth  proceed  from  the  heart,  and  they 
defile  the  man.  For  from  the  heart  proceed  wicked  thoughts, 
murders,  adulteries,  unchastities,  thefts,  perjuries,  profane 
words.  These  are  the  things  that  defile  a  man.  But  to  eat  with 
unwashed  hands  does  not  defile  a  man.” 

Leaving  that  place,  Jesus  retired  into  the  region  of  Tyre  and 
Sidon.  Here  a  Canaanite  woman  of  those  parts  came  out  and 
cried,  “Sir,  have  pity  on  me,  Son  of  David.  My  daughter  is 
terribly  tormented  by  a  demon.”  But  he  did  not  answer  her  a 
word.  Then  his  disciples  came  and  begged  him,  saying,  “Send 
her  away;  she  keeps  calling  out  behind  us.”  He  replied,  “  I  was 
not  sent  except  to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel.”  But 
she  came  and  bowed  before  him  and  said,  “Help  me,  Sir.” 
He  answered,  “It  is  not  right  to  take  the  children’s  bread  and 
throw  it  to  the  dogs.”  But  she  said,  “Yes,  Sir;  for  even  the 
dogs  eat  of  the  crumbs  that  fall  from  their  masters’  table.” 
Then  Jesus  said  to  her,  “O  woman,  great  is  your  faith.  Be  it 
to  you  as  you  will.”  And  her  daughter  was  cured  from  that 
hour. 

On  leaving  there,  Jesus  came  along  by  the  lake  of  Galilee 
and  went  up  on  the  mountain  and  sat  down  there.  Then  a 
great  crowd  came  to  him  having  with  them  lame  men,  maimed 
men,  blind  men,  mutes,  and  many  others,  and  they  laid  them 
at  his  feet  and  he  healed  them.  The  crowd  was  astonished 
when  they  saw  mutes  talking,  maimed  men  sound,  lame  men 
walking  about,  and  blind  men  seeing,  and  they  gave  glory  to 
the  God  of  Israel. 

Jesus  called  his  disciples  to  him  and  said,  “I  have  compas-. 
sion  for  the  crowd,  for  they  have  now  been  with  me  three  days 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  29 

and  they  have  nothing  to  eat.  I  do  not  want  to  send  them 
away  fasting;  they  might  faint  on  the  road.”  The  disciples 
said  to  him,  “  Where  can  we  get  enough  bread  in  this  unin¬ 
habited  place  to  feed  such  a  crowd?  ”  Jesus  said,  “  How  many 
loaves  have  you?  ”  They  said,  “  Seven,  and  a  few  small  fishes.” 
Then  he  told  the  crowd  to  recline  on  the  ground,  and  he  took 
the  seven  loaves  and  the  fishes  and  gave  thanks  and  broke 
them  and  gave  to  his  disciples,  and  the  disciples  distributed  to 
the  crowd.  All  ate  and  were  satisfied,  and  they  picked  up  seven 
baskets  full  of  fragments  that  were  left  over.  There  were  four 
thousand  men  that  ate,  besides  women  and  children.  Then 
after  dismissing  the  crowd  he  got  into  a  boat  and  came  into 
the  region  of  Magadan. 


XVI 

The  Pharisees  and  Sadducees  came  to  Jesus,  and,  in  order  to 
put  him  to  a  test,  asked  him  to  show  them  a  sign  from  heaven. 
But  he  answered,  “A  wicked  and  adulterous  generation  is 
eager  for  a  sign,  but  no  sign  will  be  given  to  it  except  the  sign 
of  Jonah”;  and  he  left  them  and  went  away. 

When  the  disciples  got  to  the  other  side  of  the  lake,  they 
had  forgotten  to  take  bread,  and  Jesus  said  to  them,  “Be  on 
your  guard  against  the  yeast  of  the  Pharisees  and  the  Sad¬ 
ducees.”  They  were  discussing  this  among  themselves,  saying, 
“It  is  because  we  have  brought  no  bread.”  But  Jesus,  when 
he  knew  it,  said,  “Why  are  you  discussing  among  yourselves, 
O  men  of  little  faith,  because  you  have  no  bread?  Do  you  not 
yet  know?  Do  you  not  remember  the  five  loaves  of  the  five 
thousand  and  how  many  basketfuls  you  picked  up?  Or  the 
seven  loaves  of  the  four  thousand  and  how  many  basketfuls 
you  picked  up?  How  is  it  that  you  do  not  perceive  that  I  was 
not  speaking  to  you  about  bread?  But  beware  of  the  yeast  of 
the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees.”  Then  they  understood  that  he 
had  told  them  to  beware  not  of  the  yeast  of  bread,  but  of 
the  teaching  of  the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees. 

After  coming  into  the  neighborhood  of  Caesarea  Philippi, 
Jesus  asked  his  disciples,  “Who  do  people  say  that  the  Son  of 
Man  is?  ”  They  said,  “Some  say  John  the  Baptist;  others  say 


30  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


Elijah;  others  Jeremiah  or  some  one  of  the  prophets.”  He 
said  to  them,  “But  you,  who  do  you  say  that  I  am?”  Simon 
Peter  said,  “You  are  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God.” 
Jesus  replied,  “Blessed  are  you,  Simon  Bar-Jonah,  for  flesh 
and  blood  have  not  revealed  it  to  you,  but  my  Father  in  heaven. 
And  I  tell  you  that  you  are  Peter  [which  means  Rock],  and 
upon  this  rock  I  will  build  my  church  and  the  gates  of 
Hades  will  not  prevail  against  it.  I  will  give  you  the  keys 
of  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and  whatever  you  bind  on  earth 
will  be  bound  in  heaven,  and  whatever  you  loose  on  earth  will 
be  loosed  in  heaven.”  Then  he  strictly  charged  his  disciples 
not  to  tell  any  one  that  he  was  the  Christ. 

From  that  time  Jesus  began  to  make  plain  to  his  disciples 
that  he  had  to  go  away  to  Jerusalem,  and  suffer  greatly  from 
the  elders  and  high  priests  and  scribes,  and  be  killed  and  on  the 
third  day  be  raised.  Peter  took  him  and  began  to  reprove  him, 
saying,  “Please  God,  Sir ;  this  shall  not  happen  to  you.”  But  he, 
turning,  said  to  Peter,  “Get  behind  me,  Satan;  you  are  a  snare 
to  me,  for  you  are  not  thinking  God’s  thoughts,  but  men’s.” 
Then  Jesus  said  to  his  disciples,  “If  any  one  chooses  to  come 
after  me,  let  him  disown  self  and  take  up  his  cross  and  follow 
me.  For  whoever  chooses  to  save  his  life  will  lose  it,  and  who¬ 
ever  loses  his  life  for  my  sake  will  find  it.  For  what  profit  will 
a  man  have  if  he  gains  the  whole  world  and  forfeits  his  soul? 
or  what  can  a  man  give  to  buy  back  his  soul?  For  the  Son  of 
Man  will  soon  come  in  the  glory  of  his  Father  with  his  angels, 
and  then  he  will  repay  each  in  full  according  to  his  actions. 
I  tell  you  truly  there  are  some  of  those  who  are  standing  here 
who  will  not  taste  of  death  before  they  see  the  Son  of  Man  com¬ 
ing  in  his  kingdom.” 


XVII 

Six  days  later,  Jesus  took  with  him  Peter  and  James  and  John 
his  brother,  and  led  them  up  on  a  high  mountain  alone. 
There  he  was  transfigured  before  them.  His  face  shone  like  the 
sun  and  his  clothes  became  white  as  the  light.  Then  appeared 
to  them  Moses  and  Elijah  talking  with  him.  Peter  said  to 
Jesus,  “Sir,  it  is  fine  for  us  to  be  here.  If  you  like,  I  will  make 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  31 


three  tents,  one  for  you  and  one  for  Moses  and  one  for  Elijah.” 
While  he  was  speaking,  a  bright  cloud  suddenly  overspread 
them  and  a  voice  issued  from  the  cloud,  “This  is  my  Son,  the 
Beloved,  in  whom  I  delight.  Hear  him.”  The  disciples  on 
hearing  this  fell  on  their  faces  in  great  terror.  But  Jesus  came 
and  touched  them  and  said,  “Rise  and  do  not  be  afraid.” 
When  they  raised  their  eyes,  they  saw  no  one  but  Jesus  him¬ 
self  alone. 

As  they  were  descending  the  mountain,  Jesus  charged  them, 
“Tell  the  vision  to  no  one  until  the  Son  of  Man  has  risen  from 
the  dead.”  The  disciples  asked  him,  “Why  do  the  scribes  say 
that  Elijah  must  come  first?”  He  answered,  “Elijah  does  come 
and  restore  all  things.  But  I  tell  you  Elijah  has  already  come 
and  they  did  not  recognize  him,  but  did  to  him  whatever  they 
chose.  Just  so  the  Son  of  Man  is  about  to  suffer  at  their  hands.” 
Then  the  disciples  understood  that  he  was  speaking  to  them  of 
John  the  Baptist. 

When  they  reached  the  crowd,  a  man  came  to  Jesus  and 
knelt  to  him  and  said,  “Sir,  have  pity  on  my  son,  for  he  is  a 
lunatic  and  is  in  a  very  bad  way.  For  often  he  falls  into  the 
fire  and  often  into  the  water.  I  brought  him  to  your  disciples 
and  they  could  not  cure  him.”  Jesus  answered,  “  O  unbelieving 
and  perverse  generation,  how  long  must  I  be  with  you?  How 
long  must  I  bear  you?  Bring  him  here.”  Then  Jesus  rebuked 
the  demon,  and  he  came  out  of  him  and  the  boy  was  well  from 
that  hour. 

Then  the  disciples  came  to  Jesus  aside  and  said,  “Why  were 
we  unable  to  cast  it  out?  ”  He  said  to  them,  “Because  of  your 
lack  of  faith.  I  tell  you  truly,  if  you  have  faith  like  a  mustard 
seed  you  will  say  to  this  mountain,  '  Remove  from  here  to 
there,”  and  it  will  remove,  and  nothing  will  be  impossible  for 
you.” 

While  they  were  assembling  in  Galilee,  Jesus  said  to  them, 
“The  Son  of  Man  will  soon  be  betrayed  into  the  hands  of  men, 
and  they  will  kill  him  and  on  the  third  day  he  will  be  raised  ”; 
and  they  were  deeply  distressed. 

After  they  came  to  Capernaum,  the  men  who  were  collecting 
the  Temple  tax  came  to  Peter  and  said,  “Does  not  your 


32  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


teacher  pay  the  Temple  tax?”  1  He  said,  “Yes.”  But  when 
he  went  into  the  house  Jesus  spoke  first  to  him  and  said,  “How 
do  you  think,  Simon?  From  whom  do  the  kings  of  the  earth 
collect  taxes  or  tribute,  from  their  own  sons  or  from  those  who 
are  not?”  Upon  his  saying,  “From  those  who  are  not,”  Jesus 
said  to  him,  “So  then  the  sons  are  free.  But  in  order  that  we 
may  not  mislead  them,  go  to  the  lake  and  throw  in  a  hook  and 
take  the  first  fish  that  comes  up.  When  you  open  his  mouth 
you  will  find  a  coin.  Take  that  and  give  it  to  them  for  me  and 
yourself/’  - 


XVIII 

At  that  time  the  disciples  came  to  Jesus  saying,  “Who  then  is 
greatest  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven?”  He  called  to  him  a  little 
child  and  stood  him  in  the  midst  of  them  and  said,  “I  tell  you 
truly,  unless  you  turn  and  become  like  the  little  children,  you 
will  not  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  He  who  humbles  himself 
like  this  little  child,  he  is  the  greatest  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
Whoever  receives  one  such  little  child  for  my  name  receives 
me;  and  whoever  causes  one  of  these  little  ones  that  believe 
in  me  to  stumble,  it  were  better  for  him  to  have  a  great  mill¬ 
stone2  hung  around  his  neck  and  be  cast  into  the  depths  of 
the  lake.  Alas  for  the  world  because  of  the  occasions  of  stum¬ 
bling!  It  must  be  that  such  occasions  come,  but  alas  for  the 
man  through  whom  any  one  is  tripped  up!  If  your  hand  or 
your  foot  is  a  snare  to  you,  cut  it  off  and  cast  it  from  you.  It 
is  better  for  you  to  enter  into  life  maimed  or  lame  than  with 
two  hands  or  two  feet  to  be  cast  into  the  fire  eternal.  If  your 
eye  is  a  snare  to  you,  pluck  it  out  and  cast  it  from  you.  It  is 
better  for  you  to  enter  into  life  one-eyed  than  with  two  eyes  to 
be  cast  into  the  Gehenna  of  fire.  See  to  it  that  you  do  not  look 
down  on  one  of  these  little  ones.  For  1  tell  you,  in  heaven 
their  angels  continually  behold  the  face  of  my  Father  in  heaven. 
How  does  it  seem  to  you?  If  a  man  has  a  hundred  sheep  and 
one  of  them  strays  away,  will  he  not  leave  the  ninety-nine  on 

1  The  Greek  word  here  translated  “Temple  tax”  is  the  name  of  a  coin  worth 
about  one  third  of  a  dollar. 

2  The  Greek  means  “millstone  of  an  ass.”  Two  kinds  of  millstones  were  in 
use,  small  ones  turned  by  hand  and  large  ones  turned  by  asses. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  33 


the  mountains  and  go  and  search  for  the  straying  one?  And 
if  he  finds  it,  I  tell  you  he  rejoices  more  over  it  than  over  the 
ninety-nine  that  have  not  strayed.  Just  so  it  is  not  the  will  of 
your  Father  in  heaven  that  one  of  these  little  ones  should  perish. 

“If  your  brother  sins  against  you,  go  and  show  him  his 
fault  between  yourself  and  him  alone.  If  he  listens  to  you,  you 
have  won  over  your  brother.  If  he  does  not  listen  to  you,  take 
along  with  you  one  or  two  more,  that  at  the  mouth  of  two 
witnesses,  or  three,  every  word  may  be  confirmed.  If  he  refuses 
to  hear  them,  tell  it  to  the  church.  If  he  refuses  to  hear  the 
church,  let  him  be  to  you  as  a  Gentile  or  a  tax  collector.  I  tell 
you  truly,  whatever  you  bind  on  earth  will  be  bound  in  heaven, 
and  whatever  you  loose  on  earth  will  be  loosed  in  heaven. 

“Again  I  tell  you  that,  if  two  of  you  agree  on  earth  regard¬ 
ing  any  matter,  whatever  they  pray  for  will  come  to  them  from 
my  Father  in  heaven.  For  where  two  or  three  are  gathered  in 
my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them.  ” 

Then  Peter  came  to  him  and  said,  “How  often,  Sir,  if  my 
brother  sins  against  me,  shall  I  forgive  him?  Up  to  seven 
times?”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “I  do  not  say  up  to  seven  times,  but 
up  to  seventy  times  seven. 

“Therefore  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  a  man  who  was  a 
king,  who  determined  to  settle  accounts  with  his  servants. 
When  he  had  begun  the  accounting  there  was  brought  to  him 
one  who  owed  him  ten  thousand  talents.1  Since  he  could  not 
pay,  his  master  ordered  him  to  be  sold,  as  well  as  his  wife  and 
his  children  and  whatever  he  had,  and  payment  to  be  made. 
But  the  servant  fell  down  and  did  homage  and  said,  ‘Have 
patience  with  me  and  I  will  pay  you  in  full.  ’  Then  the  mas¬ 
ter,  pitying  the  servant,  released  him  and  cancelled  his  debt. 
But  that  servant,  on  going  out,  found  one  of  his  fellow  serv¬ 
ants  who  owed  him  a  hundred  shillings,2  and  he  seized  him 
and  choked  him,  saying,  ‘Pay  in  full  what  you  owe.’  His  fel¬ 
low  servant  fell  down  and  begged,  saying,  ‘Have  patience 

1  The  talent  was  a  sum  of  money  varying  in  value  in  different  times  and 
places.  Probably  the  talent  here  referred  to  was  worth  about  $237,  but  money 
had  larger  purchasing  power  then. 

2  The  Greek  word  here  translated  “shilling”  names  a  coin  worth  about 
16  2/3  cents.  - 


34  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


with  me  and  I  will  pay  you  in  full.’  But  he  would  not,  but 
went  and  threw  him  into  prison  until  he  should  pay  off  the 
debt.  When  his  fellow  servants  saw  what  had  happened,  they 
were  deeply  grieved  and  went  and  informed  their  master  about 
everything.  The  master  summoned  him  and  said  to  him, 
‘You  wicked  servant,  all  that  debt  of  yours  I  cancelled  when 
you  begged  me.  Ought  you  not  to  have  had  pity  on  your  fellow 
servant  as  I  had  pity  on  you?’  Then  his  master  was  angry  and 
delivered  him  to  the  torturers  until  he  should  pay  off  all  that 
was  owing  to  him.  Just  so  will  my  Father  in  heaven  do  to  you 
if  you  do  not  forgive  each  one  his  brother  from  your  hearts.” 

XIX 

When  Jesus  had  finished  these  words,  he  left  Galilee  and  came 
within  that  part  of  Judaea  beyond  the  Jordan.  Great  crowds 
followed  him  and  he  healed  them  there. 

Then  some  Pharisees  came  to  him  to  test  him.  They  said, 
“Is  it  allowable  for  a  man  to  divorce  his  wife  for  any  and 
every  cause?”  He  replied,  “Have  you  not  read  that  the 
Creator  in  the  beginning  ‘  made  them  male  and  female,  ’  and 
said, 1  For  this  cause  shall  a  man  leave  his  father  and  his  mother 
and  shall  cleave  to  his  wife  and  the  two  shall  become  one  flesh  ’? 
So  they  are  no  longer  two,  but  one  flesh.  What,  therefore,  God 
has  yoked  together  let  not  man  put  asunder.”  They  said  to 
him,  “Why,  then,  did  Moses  command  to  give  a  writing  of 
dismissal  and  divorce  her?”  He  said  to  them,  “Moses,  because 
of  your  hard-heartedness,  permitted  you  to  divorce  your  wives, 
but  at  the  beginning  it  was  not  so.  And  I  tell  you,  whoever 
divorces  his  wife,  except  for  unchastity,  and  marries  another, 
commits  adultery.”  His  disciples  said  to  him,  “If  this  is  the 
case  of  a  man  with  his  wife,  it  is  better  not  to  marry.”  He  said 
to  them,  “Not  all  can  receive  this  word;  but  only  those  to 
whom  it  is  granted.  For  there  are  eunuchs  so  born  from  their 
mother’s  womb,  and  there  are  eunuchs  so  made  by  men,  and 
there  are  eunuchs  who  have  made  themselves  eunuchs  for  the 
sake  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Let  him  who  is  able  to  receive 
it  receive  it.” 

Then  some  little  children  were  brought  to  him  to  have  him 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  35 


lay  his  hands  on  them  and  pray.  His  disciples  rebuked  those 
who  brought  them.  But  Jesus  said,  “Let  the  little  children 
come  to  me,  and  do  not  hinder  them;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom 
of  heaven.  ”  After  laying  his  hands  on  them,  he  went  away. 

A  man  came  to  him  and  said,  “Teacher,  what  good  thing 
shall  I  do  to  have  life  eternal?”  He  said  to  him,  “Why  do  you 
ask  me  about  the  good?  One  only  is  the  Good.  But  if  you 
wish  to  enter  into  life,  keep  the  commandments.”  He  said 
to  him,  “Which?”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “Thou  shalt  not  commit 
murder,  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery,  Thou  shalt  not 
steal,  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness,  Honor  thy  father  and 
thy  mother,  and  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself.” 
The  young  man  said  to  him,  “  All  these  I  have  kept.  What  do  I 
lack  still?”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “If  you  wish  to  be  perfect,  go 
sell  your  property  and  give  to  the  poor,  and  you  will  have  treas¬ 
ure  in  heaven;  and  then  come,  follow  me.  ”  When  the  young 
man  heard  that  saying,  he  went  away  grieved.  For  he  pos¬ 
sessed  great  wealth. 

Jesus  said  to  his  disciples,  “I  tell  you  truly,  a  rich  man  will 
with  difficulty  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Again  I  tell  you, 
it  is  easier  for  a  camel  to  enter  the  eye  of  a  needle  than  for  a 
rich  man  to  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  ”  When  the  disciples 
heard  this,  they  were  amazed  and  said,  “Who  then  can  be 
saved?”  Jesus  looked  at  them  and  said,  “With  men  this  is 
impossible,  but  with  God  all  things  are  possible.  ” 

Then  Peter  said,  “Why,  we  have  left  everything  and  have 
followed  you.  What  then  shall  we  receive?”  Jesus  said  to 
him,  “I  tell  you  truly,  you  who  have  followed  me,  in  the  re¬ 
birth,  when  the  Son  of  Man  sits  on  his  glorious  throne,  you  also 
will  sit  on  twelve  thrones  judging  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel. 
And  whoever  has  left  houses  or  brothers  or  sisters  or  father 
or  mother  or  children  or  lands  for  my  name’s  sake  will  receive 
manifold  more  and  will  inherit  life  eternal.  But  many  now  first 
will  be  last  and  many  now  last  will  be  first. 

XX 

“Tiie  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  a  man  who  was  a  householder, 
who  went  out  in  the  early  morning  to  hire  laborers  for  his 


36  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


vineyard.  After  agreeing  with  the  laborers  for  a  shilling 1  a  day, 
he  sent  them  into  his  vineyard.  He  went  out  about  nine  o’clock 
and  saw  others  standing  in  the  market-place  idle  and  said  to 
them,  4  You  too  go  into  my  vineyard,  and  whatever  is  right  I 
will  give  you.  ’  So  they  went.  Again  he  went  out  about  noon 
and  about  three  o’clock  and  did  the  same.  About  five  o’clock 
he  went  out  and  found  others  standing  and  said  to  them, 
‘  Why  have  you  been  standing  the  whole  day  idle?  ’  They  said, 
‘Because  no  one  has  hired  us.’  He  said  to  them,  ‘You  go  too 
into  my  vineyard.’  When  evening  came,  the  owner  of  the 
vineyard  said  to  his  manager,  ‘  Call  the  laborers  and  pay  their 
hire,  beginning  with  the  last  and  going  on  to  the  first.’  When 
those  who  were  hired  about  five  o’clock  came,  they  received  a 
shilling  apiece,  and  when  those  who  were  hired  first  came,  they 
thought  that  they  would  get  more.  But  they  too  received  a 
shilling  apiece.  When  they  received  it,  they  grumbled  at  the 
householder  and  said,  ‘  These  last  worked  one  hour  and  you  have 
made  them  equal  to  us  who  bore  the  burden  of  the  day  and  the 
heat.’  But  he  answered  one  of  them,  ‘Friend,  I  am  not  wrong¬ 
ing  you.  Did  you  not  agree  with  me  for  a  shilling?  Take  what 
belongs  to  you  and  go.  I  choose  to  give  to  this  last  man  the 
same  as  to  you.  Have  I  not  the  right  to  do  what  I  will  with  my 
own?  Is  your  eye  evil  because  I  am  good?’  So  the  last  will  be 
first  and  the  first  last.” 

As  Jesus  was  about  to  go  up  to  Jerusalem,  he  took  the  twelve 
aside  on  the  road  and  said  to  them,  “We  are  going  up  to 
Jerusalem,  and  the  Son  of  Man  will  be  betrayed  to  the  high 
priests  and  the  scribes,  and  they  will  condemn  him  to  death 
and  will  deliver  him  to  the  Gentiles  to  mock  and  to  scourge 
and  to  crucify,  and  on  the  third  day  he  will  be  raised.” 

Then  came  to  him  the  mother  of  the  sons  of  Zebedee,  with 
her  sons,  bowing  down  to  him  and  making  a  request  of  him. 
He  said  to  her,  “What  do  you  wish?”  She  said  to  him,  “Give 
the  command  for  these  two  sons  of  mine  to  sit  one  on  your 
right  and  one  on  your  left  in  your  kingdom.”  Jesus  answered, 
“You  do  not  know  what  you  are  asking.  Can  you  drink  the 
cup  that  I  am  about  to  drink?”  They  said  to  him,  “We  can.” 

1  At  that  time  in  Palestine  this  was  considered  a  fair  day’s  wage. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  37 


He  said  to  them,  “My  cup  you  will  drink,  but  seats  on  my 
right  and  on  my  left  are  not  mine  to  give.  They  will  be 
given  to  those  for  whom  they  have  been  prepared  by  my 
Father.” 

When  the  ten  heard  of  this,  they  were  indignant  at  the  two 
brothers.  But  Jesus  called  them  to  him  and  said,  “You  know 
that  the  rulers  of  the  Gentiles  lord  it  over  them  and  their  great 
ones  wield  power  over  them.  It  is  not  so  among  you.  But  who¬ 
ever  wants  to  become  great  among  you  will  be  your  servant, 
and  whoever  wants  to  be  first  among  you  will  be  your  slave; 
just  as  the  Son  of  Man  came  not  to  be  served,  but  to  serve,  and 
to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many.” 

As  they  were  leaving  Jericho,  a  great  crowd  followed  him. 
Two  blind  men  were  sitting  at  the  side  of  the  road,  and  when 
they  heard  that  Jesus  was  passing,  they  cried  out,  “Sir,  have 
pity  on  us,  Son  of  David!”  The  crowd  rebuked  them  and  told 
them  to  be  silent.  But  all  the  more  they  cried,  “Sir,  have  pity 
on  us,  Son  of  David!”  Jesus  stopped  and  called  them  and  said, 
“What  do  you  want  me  to  do  for  you?”  They  said,  “We  want 
our  eyes  opened.  ”  Jesus  had  compassion  on  them  and  touched 
their  eyes,  and  at  once  they  regained  sight  and  followed  him. 

XXI 

When  they  drew  near  to  Jerusalem  and  came  to  Bethphage 
and  the  Mount  of  Olives,  Jesus  sent  two  disciples,  telling  them, 
“Go  into  the  village  opposite  and  at  once  you  will  find  an  ass 
tied  and  a  colt  with  her.  Loose  her  and  lead  her  to  me.  If  any 
one  says  anything  to  you,  you  will  say,  1  The  Master  has  need 
of  them/  and  at  once  he  will  send  them.”  This  happened  in 
order  that  what  was  spoken  through  the  prophet  might  be 
fulfilled,  “Say  to  the  daughter  of  Zion,  Behold  thy  king  comes 
to  thee,  gentle  and  riding  on  an  ass  and  on  a  colt,  the  foal  of 
a  beast  of  draught.”  The  disciples  went  and  did  as  Jesus  had 
bidden  them,  and  brought  the  ass  and  the  colt,  and  spread  on 
them  their  cloaks  and  seated  him  on  them.  A  very  large  crowd 
spread  their  cloaks  in  the  road,  and  others  cut  off  branches  from 
the  trees  and  spread  them  in  the  road.  The  crowds  that  walked 
before  and  those  that  followed  shouted,  “God  save  the  Son  of 


38  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


David!  Blessed  is  he  who  comes  in  the  name  of  the  Lord!  God 
in  highest  heaven  save  him!” 

When  he  entered  Jerusalem  all  the  city  was  shaken,  and 
people  said,  “Who  is  this?”  The  crowds  said,  “This  is  the 
prophet  Jesus  from  Nazareth  in  Galilee.” 

Jesus  went  into  the  Temple  courts  and  drove  out  all  those 
who  were  selling  and  buying  there.  He  overturned  the  tables 
of  the  money-changers  and  the  seats  of  those  who  were  selling 
doves,  and  he  said,  “It  is  written,  ‘My  house  shall  be  called  a 
house  of  prayer/  but  you  are  making  it  a  den  of  robbers.” 

Then  blind  men  and  lame  men  came  to  him  in  the  Temple 
courts  and  he  healed  them.  When  the  high  priests  and  the 
scribes  saw  the  wonders  that  he  did  and  the  children  shouting, 
“God  save  the  Son  of  David !’  they  were  angry  and  said  to 
him,  “Do  you  hear  what  these  are  saying?”  Jesus  said,  “Yes. 
Have  you  never  read,  ‘  Out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  suck¬ 
lings  thou  hast  perfected  praise’  ?”  Then  he  left  them  and  went 
out  of  the  city  to  Bethany  and  spent  the  night  there. 

Early  in  the  morning  as  he  was  returning  to  the  city,  he 
was  hungry,  and  seeing  a  solitary  fig  tree  at  the  roadside  he 
went  to  it,  but  found  on  it  nothing  but  leaves  only.  He  said 
to  it,  “Let  there  no  more  be  fruit  from  you  forever.”  The  fig 
tree  immediately  withered  up.  Upon  seeing  this,  the  disciples 
were  astonished  and  said,  “How  suddenly  the  fig  tree  withered 
up!”  Jesus  said  to  them,  “I  tell  you  truly,  if  you  have  faith 
and  do  not  doubt,  you  will  not  only  do  what  has  been  done  to 
the  fig  tree,  but  if  you  say  to  this  mountain,  ‘Be  taken  up 
and  thrown  into  the  sea,  ’  that  will  happen,  and  whatever  you 
ask  in  prayer,  believing,  you  will  obtain.” 

When  he  had  gone  into  the  Temple  courts,  the  high  priests 
and  the  elders  of  the  people  came  to  him  as  he  was  teaching  and 
said,  “By  what  authority  are  you  doing  this,  and  who  gave  you 
this  authority?”  Jesus  replied  to  them,  “  I  too  will  ask  you  one 
question.  If  you  answer  me,  then  I  also  will  tell  you  by  what 
authority  I  am  doing  this.  The  baptism  of  John  —  where  did 
it  come  from?  From  heaven  or  from  men?”  They  debated 
among  themselves,  “If  we  say,  ‘From  heaven/  he  will  say  to 
us,  ‘Why  then  did  you  not  believe  him?’  and  if  we  say,  ‘From 


.  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  39 

men,  ’  we  are  afraid  of  the  people,  for  they  all  hold  John  for  a 
prophet.  ”  So  they  answered  Jesus,  “We  do  not  know.”  He  in 
turn  said  to  them,  “Neither  will  I  tell  you  by  what  authority 
I  am  doing  this.  What  do  you  think?  A  man  had  two  sons. 
He  went  to  the  first  and  said, 1  Son,  go  to-day  and  work  in  the 
vineyard/  He  answered,  ‘  I  will,  Sir/  but  he  did  not  go.  The 
father  went  to  the  second  son  and  said  the  same.  He  answered, 
‘I  will  not/  but  afterwards  he  changed  his  mind  and  went. 
Which  of  the  two  did  the  will  of  his  father?”  They  said,  “The 
last.”  Jesus  said  to  them,  “I  tell  you  truly  the  tax  collectors 
and  the  bad  women  are  going  before  you  into  the  kingdom  of 
God.  For  John  came  to  you  in  the  path  of  righteousness 
and  you  did  not  believe  him.  But  the  tax  collectors  and  the 
bad  women  believed  him.  And  you  when  you  saw  it  did  not 
change  your  minds  afterwards  and  believe  him. 

“Listen  to  another  illustration:  There  was  a  man,  a  houses 
holder,  who  planted  a  vineyard  and  put  a  fence  around  it  and 
dug  a  wine- vat  in  it  and  built  a  watch-tower,  and  let  it  out  to 
grape-growers  and  went  abroad.  When  the  time  of  fruit  drew 
near,  he  sent  his  servants  to  the  grape-growers  to  get  his  fruit. 
But  the  grape-growers  seized  the  servants,  and  one  they  beat, 
one  they  killed,  one  they  pelted  with  stones.  Again  he  sent 
other  servants,  more  numerous  than  the  first,  but  they  treated 
them  just  the  same.  At  last  he  sent  to  them  his  son,  saying, 
1  They  will  respect  my  son.  ’  But  when  the  grape-growers  saw 
the  son,  they  said  among  themselves,  1  This  is  the  heir.  Come, 
let  us  kill  him,  and  we  shall  have  his  inheritance/  So  they 
seized  him  and  threw  him  out  of  the  vineyard  and  killed  him. 
When,  therefore,  the  owner  of  the  vineyard  comes,  what  will 
he  do  to  those  grape-growers?”  They  said  to  him,  “He  will 
put  those  miserable  men  to  a  miserable  death,  and  will  let  out 
the  vineyard  to  other  grape-growers  who  will  render  him  the 
fruits  in  their  seasons.”  Jesus  said  to  them,  “Did  you  never 
read  in  the  Scriptures,  ‘The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected, 
that  one  has  become  the  corner  stone.  This  stone  came  from 
the  Lord  and  is  wonderful  in  our  eyes’?  Therefore  I  tell  you 
the  kingdom  of  God  will  be  taken  away  from  you  and  will  be 
given  to  a  nation  that  produces  the  fruits.  Whoever  falls  on 


40  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


this  stone  will  be  shattered,  and  if  it  falls  on  any  one,  it  will 
crush  him  to  powder.” 

The  high  priests  and  the  Pharisees  listening  to  his  illustra¬ 
tions  knew  that  he  was  speaking  about  them.  They  were  eager 
to  seize  him,  but  were  afraid  of  the  people,  for  the  people  held 
him  for  a  prophet. 


XXII 

Again  Jesus  addressed  them  in  figures.  He  said,  “  The  kingdom 
of  heaven  is  like  a  man,  a  king,  who  made  a  wedding  feast  for 
his  son.  He  sent  his  servants  to  call  those  who  had  been  invited 
to  the  wedding,  but  they  would  not  come.  Again  he  sent  other 
servants,  telling  them, 1  Say  to  those  who  have  been  invited,  I 
have  prepared  my  dinner;  my  oxen  and  fat  things  have  been 
killed  and  everything  is  ready.  Come  to  the  wedding.’  But 
they  paid  no  attention,  and  went  off  one  to  his  field  and  another 
to  his  trading.  The  rest  seized  his  servants,  treated  them 
roughly,  and  killed  them.  Then  the  king  grew  angry  and  sent 
his  armies  and  destroyed  : those  murderers  and  burned  up  their 
city.  Then  he  said  to  his  servants,  ‘The  wedding  banquet  is 
ready,  but  those  who  were  invited  were  not  worthy.  Go  out  on 
the  crossroads,  and  every  one  you  find  invite  to  the  wedding. 9 
So  those  servants  went  out  into  the  streets  and  gathered  all 
they  found,  both  bad  and  good,  and  the  wTedding-hall  was 
filled  with  guests.  When  the  king  came  in  to  look  over  the 
guests,  he  saw  there  a  man  who  was  not  dressed  in  a  wedding 
robe,  and  he  said  to  him,  ‘Friend,  how  did  you  come  in  here 
without  a  wedding  robe?’  But  he  was  speechless.  The  king 
said  to  the  attendants,  ‘  Bind  him  feet  and  hands  and  throw 
him  out  into  the  darkness  outside.’  There  will  be  wailing 
and  gnashing  of  teeth.  For  many  are  invited,  but  few  are 
chosen.  ” 

Then  the  Pharisees  went  and  held  a  consultation  how  they 
could  entrap  him  in  talk.  They  sent  to  him  their  disciples  with 
the  Herodians  and  they  said,  “Teacher,  we  know  that  you  are 
truthful  and  teach  the  way  of  God  in  truth,  and  that  you  are 
afraid  of  no  one,  for  you  do  not  regard  the  social  standing  of 
men.  Tell  us  therefore  what  you  think.  Is  it  right  to  pay  taxes 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  41 


to  Caesar  or  not?”  But  Jesus  knew  their  wickedness  and  said, 
“  Why  are  you  trying  to  test  me,  you  hypocrites?  Show  me  a 
piece  of  tax  money.  ”  They  brought  him  a  shilling.  He  asked 
them,  “Whose  head  is  this,  and  whose  inscription?”  They 
said,  “Caesar’s.”  He  said  to  them,  “Then  pay  to  Caesar  what 
is  Caesar’s,  and  pay  to  God  what  is  God’s.”  When  they  heard 
this,  they  wondered  and  left  him  and  went  away. 

On  that  day  some  Sadducees  came  to  him  asserting  that 
there  is  no  resurrection,  and  they  asked  him,  “Teacher,  Moses 
said,  ‘If  any  man  dies  childless,  his  brother  shall  marry  his 
widow  and  raise  up  offspring  for  his  brother.’  Now  there  were 
with  us  seven  brothers.  The  first  married  and  died  childless 
and  left  his  wife  to  his  brother.  So  did  the  second  and  the 
third  down  to  the  seventh.  The  woman  died  last  of  all.  In  the 
resurrection,  then,  which  of  the  seven  will  have  the  wife?  For 
they  all  had  her.”  Jesus  replied  to  them,  “You  are  all  astray 
because  you  do  not  understand  either  the  Scriptures  or  the 
power  of  God.  For  in  the  resurrection  they  neither  marry  nor 
are  married,  but  are  like  the  angels  in  heaven.  But  in  refer¬ 
ence  to  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  have  you  not  read  what 
was  said  to  you  by  God  when  he  said,  ‘  I  am  the  God  of  Abra¬ 
ham  and  the  God  of  Isaac  and  the  God  of  Jacob’  ?  He  is  not 
the  God  of  dead  men,  but  of  living  men.”  The  crowd  on  hear¬ 
ing  this  were  amazed  at  his  teaching. 

The  Pharisees,  hearing  that  he  had  silenced  the  Sadducees, 
gathered,  and  one  of  them,  a  lawyer,  in  order  to  test  him,  asked, 
“Teacher,  which  commandment  in  the  law  is  greatest?” 
Jesus  said  to  him,  “‘Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with 
all  thy  heart  and  with  all  thy  soul  and  with  all  thy  mind.’ 
This  is  the  greatest  and  first  commandment.  The  second  is  like 
it,  ‘  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself.  ’  On  these  two 
commandments  hang  all  the  Law  and  the  Prophets.” 

While  the  Pharisees  were  assembled,  Jesus  asked  them  a 
question,  “What  do  you  think  in  regard  to  the  Christ?  Whose 
son  is  he?”  They  said,  “ David’s. ”  He  said,  “ How  then  does 
David  by  inspiration  call  him  ‘Lord,’  saying,  ‘The  Lord  said 
to  my  Lord,  Sit  at  my  right  hand  until  I  put  your  enemies  un¬ 
der  your  feet  ’  ?  If  David  calls  him  ‘  Lord,  ’  how  is  he  his  son?  ” 


42  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


No  one  was  able  to  answer  him  a  word,  and  no  one  from  that 
day  dared  ask  him  any  more  questions. 

XXIII 

Then  Jesus  addressed  the  crowd  and  his  disciples.  He  said, 
“The  scribes  and  Pharisees  have  seated  themselves  on  Moses’ 
seat.  So  whatever  they  tell  you,  do  and  observe,  but  do  not 
do  as  they  do.  For  they  say  and  do  not.  They  tie  up  heavy 
burdens  and  lay  them  on  men’s  shoulders,  but  they  them¬ 
selves  will  not  move  them  with  one  of  their  fingers.  All  their 
works  they  do  to  be  seen  by  men.  They  make  their  phylacteries 
broad  and  make  their  tassels  large.  They  love  the  best  couches 
at  dinners  and  the  front  seats  in  the  synagogues  and  saluta¬ 
tions  in  the  markets  and  to  be  called  by  men  Rabbi.  But  do 
not  you  be  called  Rabbi.  For  one  is  your  Teacher  and  all  of  you 
are  brothers.  And  do  not  call  any  one  on  earth  Father,  for  one 
is  your  Father  in  heaven.  Neither  be  called  guides,  for  your 
Guide  is  one  alone  —  the  Christ.  The  greatest  of  you  will  be 
your  servant.  Whoever  exalts  himself  will  be  humbled,  and 
whoever  humbles  himself  will  be  exalted. 

“But  alas  for  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  for 
you  shut  the  kingdom  of  heaven  before  men.  You  yourselves 
do  not  enter  nor  do  you  permit  those  who  are  entering  to  go 
in.  Alas  for  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  for  you 
compass  sea  and  land  to  make  one  proselyte,  and  when  he  is 
won  you  make  him  twice  as  much  a  son  of  Gehenna  as  your¬ 
selves.  Alas  for  you,  blind  guides!  You  say,  ‘Whoever  swears 
by  the  Temple,  it  is  nothing;  but  whoever  swears  by  the  gold 
of  the  Temple  is  bound.’  Fools  and  blind,  which  is  greater,  the 
gold  or  the  Temple  that  makes  the  gold  holy?  You  say, 
‘  Whoever  swears  by  the  altar,  it  is  nothing;  but  whoever  swears 
by  the  gift  that  is  on  the  altar  is  bound.’  You  blind,  which  is 
greater,  the  gift  or  the  altar  that  makes  the  gift  holy?  He,  then, 
who  swears  by  the  altar  swears  by  it  and  everything  on  it, 
and  he  who  swears  by  the  Temple  swears  by  it  and  by  him 
who  dwells  in  it,  and  he  who  swears  by  heaven  swears  by  the 
throne  of  God  and  by  him  who  sits  upon  it. 

“Alas  for  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  for  you  pay 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  43 


tithes  of  mint,  dill,  and  carraway  and  have  disregarded  the 
weightier  matters  of  the  law  —  justice  and  kindness  and  good 
faith.  These  you  should  have  practiced,  without  neglecting  those 
other  things.  Blind  guides,  who  strain  out  a  gnat  and  drink  down 
a  camel !  Alas  for  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  for  you 
cleanse  the  outside  of  the  cup  and  the  dish,  but  inside  they  are 
full  through  greed  and  self-indulgence.  Blind  Pharisees,  cleanse 
first  the  inside  of  your  cup  so  that  the  outside  of  it  may  become 
clean  also.  Alas  for  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  for 
you  are  like  whitewashed  tombs  which  outside  appear  beautiful, 
but  inside  are  full  of  dead  men’s  bones  and  every  kind  of  un¬ 
cleanness.  So  you,  too,  outwardly  appear  to  men  to  be  right¬ 
eous,  but  inwardly  you  are  full  of  hypocrisy  and  lawlessness. 

“Alas  for  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  for  you 
build  the  tombs  of  the  prophets  and  decorate  the  monuments 
of  the  righteous  and  say,  ‘If  we  had  been  in  the  days  of  our 
fathers,  we  would  not  have  been  partakers  with  them  in  the 
blood  of  the  prophets.’  So  you  witness  against  yourselves  that 
you  are  sons  of  those  who  murdered  the  prophets.  Fill  up,  then, 
the  measure  of  your  fathers’  guilt.  Serpents,  brood  of  vipers, 
how  can  you  escape  being  sentenced  to  Gehenna?  Therefore 
I  am  sending  to  you  prophets  and  wise  men  and  scribes.  Some 
of  them  you  will  kill  and  crucify,  and  some  you  will  scourge  in 
your  synagogues  and  will  persecute  from  city  to  city,  so  that 
all  the  righteous  blood  shed  on  earth,  from  the  blood  of  right¬ 
eous  Abel  to  the  blood  of  Zachariah  the  son  of  Barachiah,  whom 
you  murdered  between  the  Temple  and  the  altar,  may  come 
on  you.  I  tell  you  truly  all  this  will  come  on  this  generation. 
Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  you  who  kill  the  prophets  and  stone  those 
who  are  sent  to  you,  how  often  would  I  fain  have  gathered 
your  children  as  a  bird  gathers  her  nestlings  under  her  wings, 
and  you  would  not.  See,  your  house  is  left  to  you  desolate,  for 
I  tell  you,  you  will  not  see  me  from  now  on  until  you  say, 
‘Blessed  is  he  who  comes  in  the  name  of  the  Lord!”’ 

XXIV 

Jesus  left  the  Temple  courts  and  was  going  away  when  his 
disciples  came  to  point  out  to  him  the  Temple  buildings.  lie 


44  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


answered  them,  “Do  you  not  see  all  these  things?  I  tell  you 
truly  there  will  not  be  left  here  one  stone  upon  another  which 
will  not  be  thrown  down.” 

While  he  was  sitting  on  the  Mount  of  Olives,  the  disciples 
came  to  him  privately  and  said,  “  Tell  us  when  these  things  will 
be,  and  what  will  be  the  sign  of  your  coming  and  of  the  end  of 
the  world?”  Jesus  answered  them,  “Make  sure  that  no  one 
misleads  you.  For  many  will  come  in  my  name  and  will  say, 
‘I  am  the  Christ,’  and  they  will  lead  many  astray.  You  will 
soon  hear  of  wars  and  rumors  of  wars.  Take  care  and  do  not 
be  alarmed,  for  such  things  must  be;  but  the  end  is  not  yet. 
For  nation  will  rise  against  nation  and  kingdom  against 
kingdom,  and  there  will  be  famines  and  earthquakes  here  and 
there.  All  of  these  things  are  the  beginnings  of  birth-pangs. 
Then  they  will  deliver  you  up  to  persecution  and  will  kill 
you,  and  you  will  be  hated  by  all  the  Gentiles  on  account  of 
my  name.  Then  many  will  stumble  and  fall  and  will  betray 
one  another  and  will  hate  one  another.  Many  false  prophets 
will  arise  and  will  lead  many  astray,  and  because  of  the  wide 
spread  of  lawlessness  the  love  of  most  will  grow  cold.  But  he 
who  endures  to  the  end,  he  will  be  saved.  And  this  good  news  of 
the  kingdom  will  be  proclaimed  in  all  the  inhabited  world  for 
a  testimony  to  all  the  Gentiles.  And  then  will  come  the  end. 

“So  when  you  see  the  abomination  of  desolation,  spoken  of 
by  Daniel  the  prophet,  standing  in  the  holy  place  [Let  the 
reader  understand],  then  those  who  are  in  Judaea  are  to  flee  to 
the  mountains;  he  who  is  on  the  house  is  not  to  go  down  to 
take  the  things  out  of  his  house,  and  he  who  is  in  the  field  is  not 
to  turn  back  and  take  his  cloak.  Alas,  for  the  women  with 
child  and  the  nursing  mothers  in  those  days!  Pray  that  your 
flight  may  not  be  in  the  winter  nor  on  the  Sabbath.  For  there 
will  be  then  great  suffering,  such  as  has  not  been  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world  until  now,  nor  ever  shall  be  again. 

“  Unless  those  days  had  been  shortened  none  would  be  saved ; 
but  for  the  sake  of  the  chosen  those  days  will  be  shortened. 
Then  if  any  one  says  to  you,  ‘See,  here  is  the  Christ,’  or  ‘here,’ 
do  not  believe  him.  For  false  Christs  and  false  prophets  will 
arise  and  will  give  great  signs  and  wonders  so  as  to  mislead,  if 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  45 


possible,  even  the  chosen.  See,  I  have  told  you  beforehand. 
So,  if  they  say  to  you,  ‘He  is  in  the  wilderness/  do  not  go  out 
there.  If  they  say,  ‘in  the  inner  rooms/  do  not  believe  it.  For 
as  the  lightning  comes  out  of  the  east  and  shines  across  to  the 
west,  so  will  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  be.  Wherever  the 
carcass  is,  there  will  the  vultures  flock  together. 

“Immediately  after  the  distress  of  those  days  the  sun  will  be 
darkened  and  the  moon  will  not  give  her  light,  and  the  stars 
will  fall  from  heaven  and  the  powers  of  heaven  will  be  shaken. 
And  then  will  appear  the  sign  of  the  Son  of  Man  in  heaven. 
Then  will  all  the  tribes  of  the  earth  beat  their  breasts  for  grief, 
and  they  will  see  the  Son  of  Man  as  he  comes  on  the  clouds  of 
heaven  with  power  and  great  glory.  And  he  will  send  his 
angels  with  a  loud  trumpet-blast,  and  they  will  gather  his 
chosen  from  the  four  winds,  from  one  end  of  heaven  to  the 
other. 

“From  the  fig  tree  take  an  illustration.  When  now  its 
branch  becomes  soft  and  puts  out  leaves,  you  know  that  sum¬ 
mer  is  near.  Just  so  when  you  see  all  these  things,  know  that  he 
is  near  —  at  the  door.  Truly  I  tell  you,  this  generation  will  not 
pass  away  before  all  these  things  happen.  Heaven  and  earth 
will  pass  away,  but  my  words  will  not  pass  away.  But  of  that 
day  and  hour  no  one  knows,  not  even  the  angels  of  heaven,  not 
even  the  Son,  but  the  Father  alone.  For,  as  the  days  of  Noah 
were,  so  will  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  be.  As  in  the  days 
before  the  flood  they  were  eating  and  drinking,  marrying  and 
giving  in  marriage,  until  the  day  that  Noah  went  into  the  ark, 
and  they  knew  nothing  until  the  flood  came  and  swept  them 
all  away,  so  will  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  be.  Then  there 
will  be  two  men  in  the  field.  One  will  be  taken  with  him  and 
one  will  be  left.  There  will  be  two  women  grinding  at  the  mill. 
One  will  be  taken  with  him  and  one  will  be  left.  Watch,  there¬ 
fore,  for  you  do  not  know  what  day  your  Master  is  coming. 
But  this  you  do  know,  that  if  the  householder  had  known  in 
which  watch  the  thief  was  coming  he  would  have  watched  and 
would  not  have  let  his  house  be  broken  into.  Therefore  be  you 
also  ready,  for  in  an  hour  that  you  do  not  think  the  Son  of  Man 
is  coming.  Who,  then,  is  the  faithful  and  wise  servant  whom 


46  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


the  master  has  placed  over  his  household  to  give  them  food  in 
due  season?  Blessed  is  that  servant  whom  his  master,  when  he 
comes,  will  find  so  doing.  I  tell  you  truly  that  he  will  place 
him  over  all  that  he  owns.  But  if  that  wicked  servant  says  in 
his  heart,  ‘My  master  is  delaying/  and  begins  to  strike  his 
fellow  servants  and  to  eat  and  drink  with  the  drunken,  the 
master  of  that  servant  will  come  on  a  day  when  he  is  not  ex¬ 
pecting  and  at  an  hour  when  he  is  unaware,  and  will  cut  him 
asunder  and  assign  his  part  with  the  hypocrites.  There  will 
be  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 

XXV 

‘‘Then  the  kingdom  of  heaven  will  be  like  ten  maidens  who 
took  their  lamps  and  went  out  to  meet  the  bridegroom.  Five 
of  them  were  foolish  and  five  were  wise;  for  the  foolish  ones 
took  their  lamps,  but  took  with  them  no  oil;  while  the  wise 
took  oil  in  their  flasks  with  their  lamps.  As  the  bridegroom  was 
late  in  coming,  all  grew  drowsy  and  slept.  At  midnight  a  cry 
was  raised,  ‘Here  is  the  bridegroom.  Come  out  to  meet  him!’ 
Then  all  those  maidens  arose  and  trimmed  their  lamps.  But 
the  foolish  said  to  the  wise,  ‘Give  us  some  of  your  oil,  for  our 
lamps  are  going  out/  But  the  wise  answered,  ‘There  may  not 
be  enough  for  us  and  you.  Go  rather  to  the  dealers  and  buy 
for  yourselves/  While  they  were  going  to  buy,  the  bridegroom 
came,  and  those  who  were  ready  went  in  with  him  to  the  wed¬ 
ding,  and  the  door  was  shut.  Afterwards  came  the  rest  of 
the  maidens,  saying,  ‘Master,  Master,  open  for  us/  But  he 
answered,  ‘I  tell  you  truly  I  do  not  know  you/  Watch,  there¬ 
fore,  for  you  do  not  know  the  day  nor  the  hour. 

“It  is  just  as  when  a  man  going  abroad  called  his  servants 
and  committed  to  them  his  property.  To  one  he  gave  five  tal¬ 
ents,  to  another  two,  and  to  another  one,  to  each  according  to 
his  particular  ability.  Then  he  went  abroad.  At  once  he  who 
received  the  five  talents  went  and  traded  with  them  and  gained 
five  more.  In  the  same  way  he  who  received  the  two  gained 
two  more.  But  he  who  received  the  one  talent  went  away  and 
dug  in  the  ground  and  hid  his  master’s  money.  After  a  long  time 
the  master  of  those  servants  came  and  had  an  accounting  with 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  47 


them.  The  man  who  had  received  the  five  talents  came  and 
brought  five  talents  more,  saying,  ‘Master,  you  committed  to 
me  five  talents;  see,  I  have  gained  five  talents  more.’  His 
master  said  to  him,  ‘Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant. 
You  have  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  place  you  over 
many  things.  Enter  into  the  joy  of  your  master.’  The  man 
who  had  received  the  two  talents  came  and  said,  ‘Master, 
you  committed  to  me  two  talents;  see,  I  have  gained  two 
talents  more.’  His  master  said  to  him,  ‘Well  done,  good  and 
faithful  servant,  you  have  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will 
place  you  over  many  things.  Enter  into  the  joy  of  your  mas¬ 
ter.’  Then  the  man  who  had  received  the  one  talent  came 
and  said,  ‘Master,  I  knew  that  you  were  a  hard  man,  reaping 
where  you  did  not  sow  and  gathering  where  you  did  not  thresh, 
and  I  was  afraid,  and  went  away  and  hid  your  talent  in  the 
ground.  There,  you  have  your  own.’  His  master  replied, 
‘You  wicked  and  idle  servant.  Did  you  know  that  I  reap  where 
I  did  not  sow  and  gather  where  I  did  not  thresh?  Then  you 
ought  to  have  turned  over  my  money  to  the  bankers,  and 
at  my  coming  I  should  have  received  my  own  with  interest. 
Take  from  him  the  talent  and  give  it  to  him  who  has  the  ten  tal¬ 
ents.  For  to  every  one  who  has  will  be  given,  and  he  will  have 
abundance;  but  from  him  who  has  not,  even  what  he  has  will 
be  taken.  And  the  worthless  servant  throw  out  into  the 
darkness  outside.  There  will  be  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth.’ 

“  When  the  Son  of  Man  comes  in  his  glory,  and  all  the  angels 
with  him,  then  he  will  sit  on  his  glorious  throne  and  all  the 
nations  will  be  assembled  before  him.  And  he  will  divide  them 
one  from  another  as  a  shepherd  divides  the  sheep  from  the 
goats.  He  will  place  the  sheep  on  his  right  hand  and  the  goats 
on  his  left.  Then  will  the  King  say  to  those  on  his  right  hand, 

‘  Come,  you  who  have  been  blessed  by  my  Father,  inherit  the 
kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world! 
For  I  was  hungry  and  you  gave  me  food;  I  was  thirsty  and  you 
gave  me  drink;  I  was  a  stranger  and  you  took  me  in;  naked 
and  you  clothed  me.  I  was  sick  and  you  cared  for  me.  I  was  in 
prison  afnd  you  came  to  me.’  Then  will  the  righteous  answer, 
‘Lord,  when  did  we  see  you  hungry  and  feed  you,  or  thirsty 


48  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


and  give  you  drink?  When  did  we  see  you  a  stranger  and  take 
you  in,  or  naked  and  clothe  you?  When  did  we  see  you  sick  or 
in  prison  and  come  to  you? 1  The  King  will  answer,  ‘  I  tell  you 
truly,  inasmuch  as  you  did  it  to  one  of  these  my  brothers  — 
even  the  least  —  you  did  it  to  me.’  Then  he  will  say  to  those 
on  his  left  hand,  1  Depart  from  me,  you  cursed,  into  the  fire 
eternal  prepared  for  the  Devil  and  his  angels.  For  I  was 
hungry  and  you  gave  me  no  food;  I  was  thirsty  and  you  gave 
me  no  drink;  I  was  a  stranger  and  you  did  not  take  me  in; 
naked  and  you  did  not  clothe  me;  sick  and  in  prison  and  you 
did  not  care  for  me.’  Then  they  too  will  answer,  ‘Lord,  when 
did  we  see  you  hungry  or  thirsty  or  a  stranger  or  naked  or  sick 
or  in  prison  and  did  not  serve  you? 1  He  will  answer  them,  ‘  I 
tell  you  truly  inasmuch  as  you  did  not  do  it  to  one  of  these 
least,  you  did  not  do  it  to  me/  These  will  go  away  into  punish¬ 
ment  eternal,  but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal.” 

XXVI 

When  Jesus  had  finished  all  these  discourses,  he  said  to  his 
disciples,  “You  know  that  after  two  days  comes  the  Passover, 
and  the  Son  of  Man  is  to  be  betrayed  to  be  crucified.” 

Then  the  high  priests  and  the  elders  of  the  people  assembled 
at  the  house  of  the  High  Priest,  who  was  called  Caiaphas,  and 
they  plotted  to  seize  Jesus  by  some  trick  and  kill  him.  But 
they  said,  “Not  on  the  feast  day,  so  that  there  may  not  be  a 
riot  among  the  people.” 

When  Jesus  had  come  to  Bethany  and  was  in  the  house  of 
Simon  the  leper,  a  woman  came  up  to  him,  bringing  an  ala¬ 
baster  jar  of  costly  ointment,  and  poured  it  on  his  head  while 
he  was  reclining  at  table.  On  seeing  this,  the  disciples  were  in¬ 
dignant  and  said,  “  Why  this  waste?  This  could  have  been  sold 
for  a  large  sum  and  given  to  the  poor.”  But  Jesus  observed 
it  and  said,  “Why  are  you  troubling  the  woman?  She  has  done 
a  beautiful  thing  to  me.  You  have  the  poor  with  you  always, 
but  me  you  will  not  have  always.  For  in  pouring  this  ointment 
on  my  body  she  prepared  me  for  burial.  I  tell  you  truly  wher¬ 
ever  this  good  news  shall  be  proclaimed  in  the  whole  world, 
what  she  has  done  will  be  spoken  of  too  in  memory  of  her.” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  49 


Then  one  of  the  twelve,  who  was  called  Judas  Iscariot,  went 
to  the  high  priests  and  asked,  “What  will  you  give  me  if  I 
betray  him  to  you?”  They  paid  him  thirty  pieces  of  silver.1 
And  from  that  moment  he  kept  seeking  a  favorable  time  to 
betray  him. 

On  the  first  day  of  unleavened  bread,  the  disciples  came  to 
Jesus  and  said,  “Where  do  you  wish  us  to  prepare  for  you  to 
eat  the  Passover?  ”  He  answered,  “  Go  into  the  city  to  a  certain 
man  and  say  to  him,  ‘The  Teacher  says,  My  time  is  near. 
I  will  keep  the  Passover  with  my  disciples  at  your  house. '  ” 
The  disciples  did  as  Jesus  had  instructed  them  and  prepared 
the  Passover. 

When  evening  had  come,  he  was  reclining  at  table  with  the 
twelve  disciples.  While  they  were  eating,  he  said,  “I  tell  you 
truly  one  of  you  will  betray  me.”  Greatly  grieved,  they  began 
to  ask  him,  each  in  turn,  “It  is  not  I,  Master? ”  He  answered, 
“He  who  dipped  his  hand  with  me  in  the  dish  is  the  one  who 
will  betray  me.  The  Son  of  Man  is  going  as  it  has  been  written 
of  him,  but  alas  for  that  man  by  whom  the  Son  of  Man  is 
betrayed!  For  that  man  it  would  be  good  not  to  have  been 
born.”  Then  Judas  the  traitor  asked,  “It  is  not  I,  Rabbi?” 
Jesus  replied,  “It  is  you.” 

While  they  were  eating,  Jesus  took  a  loaf  and  blessed  it  and 
broke  it  and  gave  it  to  his  disciples,  saying,  “  Take  this  and  eat 
it.  This  is  my  body.”  Then  he  took  a  cup,  and  after  giving 
thanks  gave  it  to  them,  saying,  “Drink  from  it,  all  of  you;  for 
this  is  my  blood  of  the  covenant,  which  is  shed  for  many  for 
the  forgiveness  of  sins.  I  tell  you  I  will  not  drink  again  of  this 
fruit  of  the  vine  until  that  day  when  I  shall  drink  it  with  you, 
new,  in  the  kingdom  of  my  Father.” 

After  singing  a  hymn,  they  went  out  to  the  Mount  of  Olives. 
Then  Jesus  said  to  them,  “All  of  you  will  stumble  and  fail  me 
to-night;  for  it  is  written,  ‘I  will  smite  the  shepherd,  and  the 
sheep  of  the  flock  will  be  scattered.'  But  after  I  am  raised,  I 
will  precede  you  to  Galilee.”  Peter  answered  him,  “Though  all 
stumble  and  fail  you,  I  never  will  stumble  and  fail.”  Jesus  said 
to  him,  “I  tell  you  truly  that  to-night,  before  the  cock  crows, 

1  A  “piece  of  silver”  was  worth  about  33  cents. 


50  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 

you  will  disown  me  three  times.”  Peter  said  to  him,  “Even  if 
I  have  to  die  with  you,  I  will  not  disown  you.”  And  so  said  all 
of  the  disciples. 

Jesus  came  with  them  to  a  place  called  Gethsemane,  and 
said  to  the  disciples,  “Sit  here  while  I  go  and  pray  yonder.”  He 
took  with  him  Peter  and  the  two  sons  of  Zebedee,  and  began 
to  be  grieved  and  distressed.  He  said  to  them,  “My  soul  is 
exceedingly  sad,  even  to  death.  Stay  here  and  watch  with 
me.”  Then  he  went  a  little  farther  and  fell  on  his  face  and 
prayed,  “My  Father,  if  it  is  possible,  let  this  cup  pass  from 
me.  Yet  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt.”  Then  he  came  to  the 
disciples  and  found  them  sleeping,  and  said  to  Peter,  “So  you 
could  not  watch  one  hour  with  me !  Watch  and  pray  so  as  not 
to  enter  into  temptation.  Your  spirit  is  eager,  but  your  flesh  is 
weak.”  Again  a  second  time  he  went  away  and  prayed,  “My 
Father,  if  this  cannot  pass  unless  I  drink  it,  thy  will  be  done.” 
He  came  again  and  found  them  sleeping,  for  their  eyes  were 
heavy.  So  he  left  them  and  went  away  again  and  prayed  a 
third  time,  saying  again  the  same  words.  Then  he  came  to  the 
disciples  and  said  to  them,  “You  are  sleeping  on  and  resting! 
Now  has  come  the  hour  when  the  Son  of  Man  is  to  be  betrayed 
into  the  hands  of  sinners.  Up,  let  us  be  going.  Here  comes  my 
betrayer.” 

While  he  was  still  speaking,  Judas,  one  of  the  twelve,  came 
and  with  him  a  great  crowd  with  swords  and  clubs,  sent  by  the 
high  priests  and  elders  of  the  people.  The  traitor  had  given 
them  a  sign,  saying,  “The  one  I  kiss  is  he.  Arrest  him.”  Im¬ 
mediately  he  came  up  to  Jesus  and  said,  “Good  evening, 
Rabbi,”  and  kissed  him  affectionately.  Jesus  said  to  him,  . 
“Friend,  do  what  you  are  here  for.”  Then  they  came  and  laid 
their  hands  on  Jesus  and  arrested  him.  Suddenly  one  of  those 
with  Jesus  stretched  out  his  hand  and  drew  his  sword,  and 
struck  a  servant  of  the  High  Priest,  cutting  off  his  ear.  Jesus 
said  to  him,  “Put  your  sword  back  into  its  place,  for  all  who 
take  the  sword  will  perish  by  the  sword.  Do  you  think  that 
I  cannot  call  on  my  Father  and  have  him  send  to  me  now 
more  than  twelve  legions  of  angels?  But  how  then  would  the 
Scriptures  be  fulfilled  that  so  it  must  be?”  Jesus  said  to  the 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  51 


crowd,  “Have  you  come  out  to  seize  me  as  if  against  a  robber, 
with  swords  and  clubs?  Every  day  1  sat  in  the  Temple  teaching 
and  you  did  not  arrest  me.  But  all  this  has  happened  that  the 
writings  of  the  prophets  might  be  fulfilled. ”  Then  all  the  dis¬ 
ciples  left  him  and  fled. 

The  men  who  had  arrested  Jesus  led  him  away  to  Caiaphas 
the  High  Priest,  at  whose  house  the  scribes  and  elders  had 
assembled.  Peter  followed  him  at  a  distance  as  far  as  the  court 
of  the  High  Priest,  and  went  in  and  sat  among  the  attendants 
to  see  the  end.  The  high  priests  and  the  whole  council  sought 
for  false  testimony  against  Jesus,  so  that  they  might  put  him 
to  death.  But  they  did  not  find  any,  although  many  false  wit¬ 
nesses  came.  Finally,  two  came  forward  and  said,  “This  man 
said,  ‘I  can  pull  down  the  Temple  of  God  and  in  three  days 
build  it  up  again.’  ”  The  High  Priest  rose  and  said  to  him, 
“Have  you  no  answer?  What  is  it  that  these  are  testifying  to 
against  you?”  But  Jesus  kept  silence.  The  High  Priest  said 
to  him,  “I  adjure  you  by  the  living  God  to  tell  us  whether  you 
are  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “I  am  he. 
But  I  tell  you,  hereafter  you  will  see  the  Son  of  Man  sitting  on 
the  right  hand  of  power  and  coming  on  the  clouds  of  heaven.” 
Then  the  High  Priest  rent  his  garments,  saying,  “Impious 
words!  Why  do  we  any  longer  need  witnesses?  See,  you  have 
now  heard  his  impious  words.  What  do  you  think?”  They 
answered,  “He  deserves  death.”  Then  they  spit  in  his  face 
and  struck  him  with  their  fists.  Some  slapped  him,  saying, 
“Act  the  prophet  for  us,  you  Christ!  Who  was  it  that  struck 
you?  ” 

Peter  was  sitting  outside  in  the  court.  A  maid  came  up  to 
him  and  said,  “  You  too  were  with  Jesus  the  Galilsean.”  But  he 
denied  it  before  all,  saying,  “I  do  not  know  what  you  mean.” 
When  he  had  gone  out  into  the  gateway,  another  maid  saw  him 
and  said  to  those  who  were  there,  “This  man  was  with  Jesus 
the  Nazarene.”  Then  again  he  denied  with  an  oath,  “I  do  not 
know  the  man.”  After  a  little  those  who  were  standing  there 
came  up  and  said  to  Peter,  “  Truly  you  are  one  of  them,  for 
your  accent  proves  it.”  Then  he  began  to  curse  and  swear, 
“I  do  not  know  the  man.”  Immediately  the  cock  crew,  and 


52  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


Peter  remembered  what  Jesus  had  said,  “Before  the  cock 
crows  you  will  disown  me  three  times,”  and  he  went  out  and 
wept  bitterly. 


XXVII 

When  morning  came  all  the  high  priests  and  the  elders  of  the 
people  consulted  together  against  Jesus  to  put  him  to  death. 
After  binding  him,  they  led  him  away  and  handed  him  over  to 
Pilate  the  Governor.  Then  Judas,  who  had  betrayed  him, 
when  he  saw  that  Jesus  had  been  condemned,  was  sorry  and 
returned  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  the  high  priests  and 
elders,  saying,  “I  sinned  in  betraying  innocent  blood!” 
But  they  said,  “What  is  that  to  us?  You  must  see  to  that.” 
Then  throwing  the  silver  into  the  Temple  he  left  and  went 
and  hung  himself. 

The  high  priests  took  the  money  and  said,  “It  is  not  proper 
to  put  it  in  with  the  consecrated  gifts,  since  it  is  the  price  of 
blood.”  So  after  consultation  they  bought  with  it  the  potter’s 
field  for  the  burial  of  strangers.  For  this  reason  that  field  is 
called  the  “  Field  of  Blood  ”  to  this  day.  Then  was  fulfilled  what 
was  said  through  Jeremiah  the  prophet,  “And  they  took  the 
thirty  pieces  of  silver,  the  price  of  him  who  was  priced,  whom 
they  priced  from  the  sons  of  Israel,  and  gave  them  for  the 
potter’s  field,  as  the  Lord  commanded  me.” 

Jesus  stood  before  the  Governor.  The  Governor  asked  him. 
“Are  you  the  King  of  the  Jews?  ”  Jesus  said,  “I  am.”  While 
he  was  being  accused  by  the  high  priests  and  elders,  he  an¬ 
swered  nothing.  Then  Pilate  said  to  him,  “Do  you  not  hear 
how  many  things  they  are  testifying  against  you?  ”  But  Jesus 
did  not  answer  even  one  word,  so  that  the  Governor  was  much 
astonished. 

At  every  feast  the  Governor  was  accustomed  to  release  for 
the  people  one  prisoner,  whomever  they  chose.  There  was  at 
that  time  a  notorious  prisoner  named  Barabbas.  So,  when  they 
had  gathered,  Pilate  said  to  them,  “Whom  do  you  want  me 
to  release  for  you,  Barabbas  or  Jesus  who  is  called  Christ?” 
For  he  knew  that  out  of  jealousy  they  had  handed  him  over. 
While  he  was  sitting  on  the  judge’s  seat,  his  wife  sent  to  him  a 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  53 


message,  “  Do  not  have  anything  to  do  with  that  righteous  man. 
For  I  have  suffered  much  to-day  in  a  dream  because  of  him.” 

The  high  priests  and  the  elders  persuaded  the  crowd  to  ask 
for  Barabbas  and  destroy  Jesus.  The  Governor  said  to  them, 
“Which  of  the  two  do  you  want  me  to  release  for  you?” 
They  said,  “Barabbas.”  Pilate  said  to  them,  “What,  then, 
shall  I  do  with  Jesus  who  is  called  Christ?  ”  They  all  said, 
“Have  him  crucified.”  He  said,  “Why,  what  wrong  has  he 
done?”  But  they  kept  shouting  furiously,  “Have  him  cru¬ 
cified!”  When  Pilate  saw  that  he  was  doing  no  good,  but 
rather  that  an  uproar  was  arising,  he  took  some  water  and 
washed  his  hands  before  the  crowd  and  said,  “I  am  innocent 
of  this  blood.  You  will  have  to  see  to  it.”  All  the  people 
answered,  “His  blood  be  on  us  and  on  our  children!”  Then 
he  released  Barabbas  for  them,  but  scourged  Jesus  and  handed 
him  over  to  be  crucified. 

Then  the  soldiers  of  the  Governor  took  Jesus  with  them  into 
the  castle  and  gathered  about  him  all  the  battalion.  They 
stripped  him  and  put  on  him  a  crimson  cloak,  twisted  together 
a  crown  of  thorns  and  put  it  on  his  head,  put  a  reed  into  his 
right  hand,  and,  going  down  on  their  knees  before  him,  made 
sport  of  him,  shouting,  “Hail,  King  of  the  Jews!”  They  spit 
on  him,  and  took  the  reed  and  struck  him  on  the  head.  After 
they  had  finished  making  sport  of  him,  they  took  off  from  him 
the  crimson  cloak  and  put  his  own  clothes  on  him,  and  led  him 
away  to  crucifixion.  As  they  were  going  out,  they  chanced  upon 
a  man  from  Cyrene  by  the  name  of  Simon.  This  man  they 
impressed  to  carry  the  cross  of  Jesus. 

On  coming  to  a  place  called  Golgotha  (that  is,  Skull  Place), 
they  gave  him  wine  mixed  with  gall  to  drink.  He  tasted  it  and 
would  not  drink  it.  When  they  had  crucified  him,  they  divided 
his  clothes  by  casting  lots.  Then  they  sat  and  kept  watch  over 
him  there.  Above  his  head  they  put  up  the  charge  against 
him  in  writing : 

THIS  IS  JESUS  THE  KING  OF  THE  JEWS 

At  the  same  time  there  were  crucified  along  with  him  two 
robbers,  one  on  his  right  and  one  on  his  left.  The  people  who 


54  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 

went  by  insulted  him,  shaking  their  heads  and  saying,  “You 
who  can  pull  down  the  Temple  and  in  three  days  build  it  up, 
save  yourself!  If  you  are  the  Son  of  God,  come  down  from 
the  cross!  ”  In  the  same  way  the  high  priests,  making  sport  of 
him,  along  with  the  scribes  and  elders,  kept  saying,  “He  saved 
others;  he  cannot  save  himself.  He  is  the  King  of  Israel;  let  him 
come  down  now  from  the  cross  and  we  will  believe  in  him.  He 
trusted  in  God,  let  him  deliver  him  now  if  he  wants  him,  for 
he  said,  ‘I  am  the  Son  of  God.’”  In  the  same  way  even  the 
robbers  who  were  crucified  with  him  insulted  him. 

From  noon  darkness  came  over  all  the  land  until  three 
o’clock.  About  three  o’clock  Jesus  cried  out  with  a  loud  voice, 
“Eli,  Eli,  lama  sabachthani? ”  (that  is,  “My  God,  my  God, 
why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?  ”)  Some  of  those  who  were  stand¬ 
ing  there  said,  when  they  heard  it,  “This  man  is  calling  for 
Elijah.”  Immediately  one  of  them  took  a  sponge  and  filled  it 
with  sour  wine  and  put  it  on  a  reed  and  gave  him  a  drink.  The 
rest  said,  “Let  him  alone,  let  us  see  whether  Elijah  comes  to 
save  him.”  But  Jesus,  after  calling  out  again  with  a  loud  voice, 
gave  up  his  spirit. 

Suddenly  the  curtain  of  the  Temple  was  rent  in  two  from 
top  to  bottom.  The  earth  quaked.  The  rocks  were  split,  and 
the  tombs  were  opened  and  many  bodies  of  the  sleeping  saints 
arose,  and,  coming  out  of  the  tombs  after  his  resurrection,  they 
entered  into  the  holy  city  and  appeared  to  many.  The  Centu¬ 
rion  and  his  men  who  were  guarding  Jesus,  when  they  saw  the 
earthquake  and  the  things  that  happened,  were  greatly  terri¬ 
fied  and  said,  “Truly  this  man  was  a  son  of  God!” 

Looking  on  from  a  distance,  were  many  women  who  had 
followed  Jesus  from  Galilee,  waiting  upon  him.  Among  them 
were  Mary  Magdalene,  and  Mary  the  mother  of  James  and 
Joses,  and  the  mother  of  the  sons  of  Zebedee. 

In  the  late  afternoon  there  came  a  rich  man  of  Arimathsea, 
named  Joseph,  who  also  himself  was  a  disciple  of  Jesus.  This 
man  went  to  Pilate  and  asked  for  the  body  of  Jesus,  and  Pi¬ 
late  ordered  it  to  be  given  to  him.  Joseph  took  the  body  and 
wrapped  it  in  a  clean  linen  sheet  and  laid  it  in  his  own  new 
tomb,  which  he  had  hewn  in  the  rock.  Then  he  rolled  a  great 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW  55 


stone  up  to  the  door  of  the  tomb  and  went  away.  Mary  Mag¬ 
dalene  remained  there  and  the  other  Mary,  sitting  opposite 
the  tomb. 

On  the  next  day,  that  is,  the  day  after  the  Preparation,  the 
high  priests  and  the  Pharisees  gathered  about  Pilate  and  said, 
“Sir,  we  remember  that  that  deceiver  said  while  he  was  alive, 
‘After  three  days  I  shall  be  raised  up.’  So  give  orders  to  have 
the  tomb  guarded  until  the  third  day.  Otherwise  his  disciples 
may  come  and  steal  him  away  and  tell  the  people,  ‘He  has 
been  raised  from  the  dead/  and  the  last  error  will  be  worse 
than  the  first.”  Pilate  said  to  them,  “You  may  have  a  guard. 
Go  make  it  as  secure  as  you  know  how.”  They  went  and  made 
the  tomb  secure  by  sealing  the  stone  as  well  as  setting  a  watch. 

XXVIII 

Late  on  the  Sabbath,  as  the  first  day  of  the  week  was  drawing 
near,  Mary  Magdalene  and  the  other  Mary  came  to  look  at 
the  tomb.  And  suddenly  there  was  a  great  earthquake.  For  an 
angel  of  the  Lord  descended  from  heaven  and  came  to  the  stone 
and  rolled  it  away  and  sat  upon  it.  His  appearance  was  like 
lightning  and  his  raiment  white  as  snow.  For  fear  of  him  the 
guards  trembled  violently  and  became  like  dead  men.  The 
angel  said  to  the  women,  “Do  not  you  be  afraid.  For  I  know 
that  you  are  looking  for  Jesus  who  was  crucified.  He  is  not 
here.  He  has  been  raised,  as  he  told  you.  Come  see  the  place 
where  he  lay.  Go  quickly  and  tell  his  disciples  that  he  has  been 
raised  from  the  dead.  He  will  precede  you  to  Galilee.  There 
you  will  see  him.  See,  I  have  told  you.”  They  left  the  tomb 
quickly  with  fear  and  great  joy  and  ran  to  tell  his  disciples. 
Suddenly  Jesus  met  them  and  said,  “Hail!”  They  came  up 
and  clasped  his  feet  and  bowed  down  before  him.  Then  Jesus 
said  to  them,  “Do  not  be  afraid.  Go  and  take  the  message 
to  my  disciples  to  go  away  to  Galilee  and  there  they  will  see 
me.” 

While  they  were  going,  some  of  the  guard  came  into  the  city 
and  brought  word  to  the  high  priests  of  all  that  had  happened. 
After  assembling  with  the  elders  and  holding  a  consultation, 
they  gave  a  good  deal  of  money  to  the  soldiers  and  said,  “Say, 


56  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MATTHEW 


‘His  disciples  came  in  the  night  and  stole  him  away  while  we 
were  asleep,  ’  and  if  this  comes  to  the  ears  of  the  Governor  we 
will  persuade  him  and  free  you  from  trouble.”  The  soldiers 
took  the  money  and  did  as  they  were  instructed.  And  this 
report  has  been  spread  among  the  Jews  to  this  day. 

The  eleven  disciples  went  to  Galilee,  to  the  mountain  where 
Jesus  had  appointed  to  meet  them,  and  they  saw  him  and 
bowed  down  before  him;  but  some  doubted.  Jesus  came  to 
them  and  talked  with  them.  He  said,  “To  me  has  been  given 
all  authority  in  heaven  and  on  earth.  Go,  therefore,  and  make 
disciples  of  all  the  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the 
Father  and  of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  teaching  them 
to  keep  all  the  commands  that  I  have  given  you.  And,  behold, 
I  am  with  you  all  the  days  to  the  end  of  the  world.” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


I 

The  Beginning  of  the  Good  News  of  Jesus  Christ. 

It  is  written  in  Isaiah  the  prophet,  “  Behold,  I  am  sending 
my  messenger  before  your  face,  who  will  prepare  your  way. 
The  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness,  ‘Make  ready  the 
way  of  the  Lord;  make  his  paths  straight’”;  just  so  John  the 
Baptist  appeared  in  the  wilderness,  preaching  the  baptism  of 
a  change  of  heart  for  forgiveness  of  sins.  All  the  land  of  Judaea 
and  all  the  people  of  Jerusalem  went  out  to  him  and  were 
baptized  by  him  in  the  Jordan  river,  confessing  their  sins. 

John’s  clothes  were  of  camel’s  hair  and  he  had  a  leather  belt 
around  his  waist,  and  he  ate  locusts  and  wild  honey.  He  pro¬ 
claimed,  “One  is  coming  after  me  who  is  more  powerful  than 
I,  the  strap  of  whose  sandals  I  am  not  worthy  to  stoop  and 
loose.  I  have  baptized  you  with  water,  but  he  will  baptize  you 
with  the  Holy  Spirit.” 

In  those  days  Jesus  came  from  Nazareth  in  Galilee,  and  was 
baptized  by  John  in  the  Jordan.  Immediately  as  he  was  com¬ 
ing  up  from  the  water  he  saw  the  heavens  opened  and  the 
Spirit  as  a  dove  descending  upon  him.  And  there  was  a  voice 
from  the  heavens,  “Thou  art  my  Son,  my  Beloved;  in  thee  I 
am  well  pleased.” 

Immediately  the  spirit  impelled  him  to  go  out  into  the  wild 
lands.  And  he  was  in  the  wild  lands  forty  days,  tempted  by 
Satan.  There  he  was  among  the  wild  beasts,  but  angels  waited 
upon  him. 

After  John  had  been  betrayed,  Jesus  came  into  Galilee, 
proclaiming  the  good  news  of  God  and  saying,  “The  time  has 
been  completed  and  the  kingdom  of  God  is  at  hand.  Repent 
and  believe  the  good  news.  ” 

As  he  passed  along  by  the  lake  of  Galilee,  he  saw  Simon  and 
his  brother  Andrew,  casting  a  net  into  the  lake,  for  they  were 
fishermen.  Jesus  said  to  them,  “Follow  me  and  I  will  make 


58 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


you  fishers  of  men.”  They  immediately  left  their  nets  and 
followed  him.  Going  on  a  little  farther,  he  saw  James  the  son 
of  Zebedee  and  his  brother  John  in  their  boat,  mending  their 
nets.  Immediately  he  called  them.  They  left  their  father 
Zebedee  in  the  boat  with  the  hired  men  and  followed  him 
away. 

They  came  into  Capernaum.  Immediately  on  the  Sabbath 
he  went  into  the  synagogue  and  taught.  The  people  were 
astonished  at  his  teaching,  for  he  taught  them  as  if  he  had 
authority,  and  not  as  the  scribes. 

There  was  in  their  synagogue  a  man  under  the  power  of  an 
impure  spirit,  and  he  immediately  cried  out,  “What  have  you 
to  do  with  us,  Nazarene  Jesus?  Have  you  come  to  destroy  us? 
I  know  who  you  are  —  the  Holy  one  of  God.  ”  But  Jesus  re¬ 
proved  him  and  said,  “Be  still,  and  come  out  of  him.”  Then 
the  impure  spirit  convulsed  him,  and  screamed  loudly  and  came 
out.  They  were  all  amazed  so  that  they  discussed  together, 
“What  is  this?  A  new  powerful  teaching !  He  commands  even 
the  impure  spirits  and  they  obey  him !  ”  So  reports  about  him 
immediately  spread  everywhere  through  the  whole  region  of 
Galilee. 

As  soon  as  they  had  come  out  of  the  synagogue,  they  entered 
the  house  of  Simon  and  Andrew,  with  James  and  John.  The 
mother-in-law  of  Simon  was  lying  sick  with  fever.  Immediately 
they  told  him  about  her.  He  came  to  her,  and  took  her  by 
the  hand  and  lifted  her  up.  The  fever  left  her  and  she  waited 
on  them. 

When  evening  came  and  the  sun  had  set,  they  brought  to 
him  all  the  sick  and  those  who  were  afflicted  with  demons;  and 
the  whole  city  was  gathered  before  the  door.  He  healed  many 
who  were  sick  with  various  diseases,  and  cast  out  many  demons, 
not  allowing  the  demons  to  talk,  because  they  knew  him. 

Early  in  the  morning,  while  it  was  still  night,  he  rose  and 
went  out,  and  went  away  into  a  solitary  place  and  there 
prayed.  Simon  and  his  companions  searched  for  him,  and  when 
they  found  him  they  said  to  him,  “All  are  looking  for  you.” 
But  he  said  to  them,  “Let  us  go  somewhere  else  among  the 
neighboring  villages,  so  that  I  may  preach  there  too;  for  it  was 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


59 


for  this  purpose  that  I  came  away.  ”  And  he  went  through  all 
Galilee,  preaching  in  their  synagogues  and  casting  out  demons. 

There  came  to  him  a  leper,  begging  him  and  kneeling  to  him 
and  saying,  “If  you  will,  you  can  cleanse  me.”  He  had  com¬ 
passion  on  him,  and  stretched  out  his  hand  and  touched  him, 
and  said,  “I  do  will  it;  be  cleansed.”  Immediately  the  leprosy 
left  him  and  he  became  clean.  Then  Jesus  sent  him  away  after 
strictly  charging  him,  “Be  sure,  do  not  say  anything  to  any¬ 
body,  but  go  and  show  yourself  to  the  priest  and  offer  for  your 
cleansing  what  Moses  prescribed  for  evidence.”  But  the  man 
went  away  and  began  to  proclaim  freely  and  to  spread  the 
report,  so  that  Jesus  was  no  longer  able  to  enter  openly  into 
any  city,  but  stayed  out  in  the  wild  country,  and  people  came 
to  him  from  every  direction. 


II 

He  came  again  into  Capernaum,  and  after  some  days  it  was 
heard  that  he  was  in  the  house.  Many  came  together,  so  that 
there  was  no  longer  room  even  near  the  door,  and  he  preached 
to  them.  Then  some  people  came  bringing  to  him  a  paralytic, 
borne  by  four.  Not  being  able  to  bring  him  near,  owing  to  the 
crowd,  they  opened  the  roof  where  he  was,  and  when  they  had 
broken  through  it,  they  let  down  the  pallet  on  which  the  par¬ 
alytic  was  lying.  When  Jesus  saw  their  faith,  he  said  to  the 
paralytic,  “Son,  your  sins  are  forgiven.”  There  were  some  of 
the  scribes  sitting  there  and  debating  in  their  minds,  “Why 
does  this  man  talk  so?  He  speaks  profane  words.  Who  except 
God  can  forgive  sins?”  Immediately  Jesus,  perceiving  that 
they  were  inwardly  reasoning  in  this  way,  said  to  them,  “Why 
do  you  reason  so  in  your  minds?  Which  is  easier,  to  say  to  the 
paralytic,  ‘Your  sins  are  forgiven/  or  to  say,  ‘Rise,  take  up 
your  pallet  and  walk'  ?  But  that  you  may  know  that  the  Son 
of  Man  has  power  on  earth  to  forgive  sins,”  turning  to  the 
paralytic  he  said,  “I  tell  you,  Rise,  take  up  your  pallet  and  go 
to  your  house.”  Immediately  the  man  rose  and  took  up  his 
pallet  and  went  out  before  all,  so  that  they  were  astounded  and 
gave  praise  to  God,  saying,  “We  have  never  seen  anything  like 
this!” 


60 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


Jesus  went  out  again  beside  the  lake,  and  all  the  crowd  came 
to  him  and  he  taught  them.  As  he  was  passing  along,  he  saw 
Levi,  the  son  of  Alphgeus,  sitting  at  the  tax  office  and  said  to 
him,  “ Follow  me.”  He  arose  and  followed. 

Jesus  was  reclining  at  table  in  Levi’s  house,  and  many  tax 
collectors  and  sinners  also  reclined  at  table  along  with  Jesus 
and  his  disciples,  for  there  were  many  who  followed  him. 
When  the  scribes  and  the  Pharisees  saw  that  he  was  eating 
with  sinners  and  tax  collectors,  they  said  to  his  disciples, 
“Can  it  be  that  he  eats  with  tax  collectors  and  sinners?” 
When  Jesus  heard  it,  he  said  to  them,  “The  strong  have  no 
need  of  a  physician,  but  the  sick  have.  I  did  not  come  to  call 
righteous  men,  but  sinners.” 

The  disciples  of  John  as  well  as  the  Pharisees  were  fasting. 
They  came  and  said  to  Jesus,  “Why  is  it  that  the  disciples  of 
John  and  the  disciples  of  the  Pharisees  are  fasting,  but  your 
disciples  are  not  fasting?”  Jesus  replied,  “Can  guests  at  a 
wedding  fast  while  the  bridegroom  is  with  them?  As  long  as 
they  have  the  bridegroom  with  them,  they  cannot  fast.  But 
days  will  come  when  the  bridegroom  will  be  taken  away  from 
them,  and  then  they  will  fast,  in  those  days.  No  one  sews  a 
patch  of  unshrunk  cloth  on  an  old  coat.  For  the  patch  will 
break  away,  the  new  from  the  old,  and  a  worse  tear  will  be 
made.  No  one  pours  new  wine  into  old  wine-skins.  For  the 
wine  will  burst  the  skins,  and  both  wine  and  skins  will  be 
lost.” 

It  happened  on  a  Sabbath  day  that  he  was  passing  through 
the  grainfields,  and  his  disciples  began,  as  they  walked,  to 
pluck  the  heads  of  grain.  The  Pharisees  said  to  him,  “See 
what  they  are  doing  on  the  Sabbath  —  something  that  is  not 
allowable.”  He  said  to  them,  “Have  you  never  read  what 
David  did  when  he  had  need  and  was  hungry,  he  and  his  com¬ 
panions?  —  how  he  went  into  the  house  of  God,  when  Abiathar 
was  High  Priest,  and  ate  the  consecrated  loaves,  which  it  is  not 
lawful  for  any  but  the  priests  to  eat,  and  gave  them  also  to  his 
companions?”  He  said  to  them,  “The  Sabbath  was  made  for 
man  and  not  man  for  the  Sabbath;  so  the  Son  of  Man  is  Lord 
even  of  the  Sabbath.” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


61 


in 

He  went  another  time  into  the  synagogue  and  there  was  pres¬ 
ent  a  man  with  a  withered  hand.  They  watched  him  to  see 
whether  he  would  heal  him  on  the  Sabbath,  so  that  they 
might  have  something  to  say  against  him.  He  said  to  the  man 
with  the  withered  hand,  “ Stand  up  in  the  center.”  Then  he 
said  to  them,  “Is  it  allowable  to  do  good  on  the  Sabbath  or  to 
do  harm,  to  save  a  life  or  to  kill?  ”  But  they  kept  silent.  He 
looked  round  on  them  with  anger,  grieved  at  the  hardness  of 
their  hearts,  and  said  to  the  man,  “Stretch  out  your  hand.” 
He  stretched  the  hand  out  and  it  was  completely  restored. 
The  Pharisees  went  out  immediately  and  joined  with  the  He- 
rodians  in  a  plot  to  put  him  out  of  the  way. 

Then  Jesus  withdrew  with  his  disciples  to  the  lake  and  a 
great  number  from  Galilee  followed  him.  Also  from  Judaea 
and  from  Jerusalem  and  from  Idumaea  and  from  beyond  the 
Jordan  and  from  the  neighborhood  of  Tyre  and  Sidon,  a  great 
number,  hearing  of  all  that  he  was  doing,  came  to  him. 

Jesus  spoke  to  his  disciples  to  have  a  little  boat  ready  for 
his  use  on  account  of  the  throng,  to  prevent  them  from  press¬ 
ing  upon  him.  For  he  healed  many,  so  that  all  that  had 
diseases  crowded  around  him  to  touch  him.  The  impure  spirits, 
also,  when  they  saw  him,  fell  down  before  him  and  shouted, 
“You  are  the  Son  of  God.”  But  he  ordered  them  repeatedly 
and  sternly  not  to  make  him  known. 

Jesus  went  up  on  the  mountain  and  invited  whom  he  chose, 
and  they  came  to  him.  He  appointed  twelve  who  should  be 
with  him  and  whom  he  could  send  out  to  preach  and  to  have 
authority  to  cast  out  demons.  He  appointed  these  twelve: 
Simon,  to  whom  he  gave  the  name  Peter  (Rock),  James  the  son 
of  Zebedee  and  John  his  brother,  to  whom  he  gave  the  name 
Boanerges,  which  means  Sons  of  Thunder,  Andrew,  Philip, 
Bartholomew,  Matthew,  Thomas,  James  the  son  of  Alphseus, 
Thaddaeus,  Simon  the  Zealot,  and  Judas  Iscariot,  who  be¬ 
trayed  him. 

Jesus  came  into  a  house  and  the  crowd  gathered  again  so 
that  they  were  not  able  even  to  eat  bread.  When  his  family 


62 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


heard  of  it,  they  went  out  to  take  him  by  force,  for  they  said, 
“He  is  out  of  his  mind.”  The  scribes  who  had  come  down  from 
Jerusalem  were  saying,  “He  has  Beelzebul  in  him,  and  by 
the  Chief  of  the  demons  he  casts  out  demons.”  Jesus  called 
them  to  him  and  said  to  them  in  figures:  “How  can  Satan  cast 
out  Satan?  If  a  kingdom  is  divided  against  itself,  that  kingdom 
cannot  stand.  And  if  a  house  divides  against  itself,  that  house 
will  not  be  able  to  stand.  So  if  Satan  has  risen  up  against  him¬ 
self  and  is  divided,  he  cannot  stand,  but  has  an  end.  No  one 
can  enter  the  house  of  a  strong  man  and  plunder  his  goods 
unless  he  first  binds  the  strong  man,  and  then  he  can  plunder 
his  house.  Truly  I  tell  you  all  sins  will  be  forgiven  to  the  sons 
of  men  and  all  their  profane  words,  whatever  they  may  say, 
but  whoever  speaks  profane  words  against  the  Holy  Spirit  has 
no  forgiveness  forever,  but  is  guilty  of  an  eternal  sin.  ”  This  he 
said  because  they  said,  “He  has  an  impure  spirit.” 

Then  came  his  mother  and  his  brothers,  and  standing  out¬ 
side  sent  and  called  him  out.  A  crowd  was  sitting  around  him 
when  some  one  said  to  him,  “Your  mother  and  your  brothers 
and  sisters  are  outside  and  want  you.”  But  he  answered, 
“Who  is  my  mother  and  who  are  my  brothers?”  Looking 
round  at  those  sitting  in  the  circle  about  him  he  said,  “Here  are 
my  mother  and  my  brothers.  Whoever  does  the  will  of  God  is 
my  brother  and  sister  and  mother.” 

IV 

Again  Jesus  began  to  teach  beside  the  lake,  and  a  very  great 
crowd  gathered  around  him,  so  that  he  got  into  a  boat  on  the 
lake  and  sat  down,  and  all  the  crowd  was  on  the  shore  near  the 
lake. 

He  taught  them  many  things  by  figures  of  speech.  He  said 
to  them  in  his  teaching,  “Listen;  a  sower  went  out  to  sow,  and 
it  happened,  as  he  was  sowing,  that  some  seed  fell  beside  the 
road  and  the  birds  came  and  ate  it.  Other  seed  fell  on  stony 
places  where  it  had  not  much  earth,  and  it  sprang  up  at  once 
because  it  had  no  depth  of  soil,  but  when  the  sun  came  up  it 
was  scorched  and  because  it  had  no  root  it  withered  away. 
Other  seed  fell  among  thorns  and  the  thorns  grew  up  and 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


63 


choked  it  and  it  yielded  no  grain.  Other  seed  fell  into  good 
ground  and  grew  tall  and  strong  and  yielded  thirty,  sixty,  or 
a  hundred  fold.”  He  said  to  them,  “Let  him  who  has  ears  to 
hear  with  hear.  ”  When  he  was  alone,  his  close  friends  and  the 
twelve  asked  him  about  the  illustrations.  He  replied,  “To 
you  the  mystery  of  the  kingdom  of  God  has  been  confided. 
But  to  outsiders  all  things  come  in  figures  of  speech  so  that 
they  may  look  straight  and  yet  not  see,  and  hear  plainly,  yet 
not  understand,  and  thus  they  will  never  repent  and  be  for¬ 
given.  ” 

He  said  to  them,  “Do  you  not  understand  this  illustration? 
How,  then,  will  you  understand  all  the  illustrations?  The 
sower  sows  the  word.  These  are  those  in  whom  the  message  is 
sown  by  the  roadside  —  such  as  hear,  but  immediately  Satan 
comes  and  takes  away  the  message  that  was  sown  in  their 
minds.  These  are  they  likewise  who  received  seed  on  stony 
places  —  such  as  hear  and  immediately  and  gladly  receive  the 
word,  but,  since  they  have  no  root,  but  are  fickle,  whenever 
trouble  or  persecution  arises  on  account  of  the  word,  im¬ 
mediately  they  fail.  Others  are  those  who  receive  seed  among 
thorns  —  such  as  hear  the  word,  but  the  cares  of  this  world 
and  the  deceitfulness  of  riches  and  the  passions  for  other  things 
come  in  and  choke  the  word,  and  it  turns  out  barren.  These 
are  those  who  received  seed  in  good  ground  —  such  as  hear 
the  message  and  receive  it  and  yield  thirty,  sixty,  or  a  hundred 
fold.” 

He  said  to  them,  “A  light  is  not  brought  in  to  be  put  under 
a  peck-measure  or  under  a  bed,  is  it?  Is  it  not  brought  to  be 
placed  on  the  stand?  For  there  is  nothing  hidden  except  to  be 
manifested;  nor  was  anything  made  secret  except  to  come  to 
light.  If  any  one  has  ears  to  hear  with,  let  him  hear.  ” 

He  said  again  to  them,  “Be  careful  what  you  hear.  With 
the  measure  that  you  measure  with,  it  will  be  measured  to  you, 
and  more  will  be  given  you.  For  to  him  who  has  will  be  given, 
and  from  him  who  has  not,  even  what  he  has  will  be  taken.” 
He  said  again,  “The  kingdom  of  God  is  like  this:  A  man  casts 
seed  on  the  ground  and  goes  on  sleeping  by  night  and  rising  by 
day,  and  the  seed  sprouts  and  grows  up,  he  knows  not  how. 


64 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


The  ground  of  itself  yields  fruit:  first  the  stalk,  then  the  ear, 
then  comes  the  full  grain  in  the  ear.  When  the  grain  is  ripe 
immediately  he  puts  in  the  sickle  because  the  harvest  has 
come.” 

Again  he  said,  “  With  what  shall  we  compare  the  kingdom  of 
God?  or  by  what  figure  can  we  illustrate  it?  It  is  like  a  mustard 
seed,  which,  when  it  is  sown  in  the  ground,  although  it  is  the 
least  of  all  the  seeds  that  are  in  the  ground,  yet  grows  up  and 
becomes  larger  than  all  the  garden  herbs,  and  puts  out  great 
branches  so  that  the  birds  of  the  air  can  find  shelter  under  its 
shadow.  ” 

With  many  such  illustrations  he  went  on  talking  to  them  as 
they  were  able  to  listen;  but  except  in  figures  of  speech  he  did 
not  talk  to  them.  Privately  to  his  own  disciples  he  explained 
all  things. 

On  that  day  when  evening  came  he  said  to  them,  “Let  us 
cross  over  to  the  other  side.  ”  So  they  left  the  crowd  and  took 
him  along  just  as  he  was,  in  the  boat.  There  were  also  other 
boats  with  them.  Then  a  heavy  squall  of  wind  came  up  and 
the  waves  beat  into  the  boat  so  that  it  was  filling.  But  he  was 
in  the  stern  asleep  on  the  cushion.  They  aroused  him  and  said 
to  him,  “Teacher,  do  you  not  care  that  we  are  sinking?” 
When  he  awoke,  he  rebuked  the  wind  and  said  to  the  sea, 
“  Hush,  be  still.  ”  The  wind  ceased  and  there  was  a  great  calm. 
Then  he  asked  them,  “Why  are  you  so  timid?  How  is  it  you 
have  no  faith?”  But  they  were  intensely  awestruck  and  said 
to  one  another,  “Who,  then,  is  this,  that  even  the  wind  and 
the  lake  obey  him?” 


V 

They  came  to  the  other  side  of  the  lake,  to  the  land  of  the 
Gerasenes.  When  he  got  out  of  the  boat,  immediately  there 
came  out  of  the  tombs  to  meet  him  a  man  under  the  power  of  an 
impure  spirit.  This  man  made  his  dwelling  in  the  tombs,  and 
nobody  could  bind  him  even  with  a  chain,  because  he  had 
often  been  bound  with  fetters  and  chains,  and  the  chains  had 
been  torn  apart  and  the  fetters  broken  in  pieces  by  him,  and  no 
one  was  strong  enough  to  tame  him.  All  night  and  all  day  long 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK  65 

he  was  in  the  tombs  and  in  the  mountains,  shrieking  and  cut¬ 
ting  himself  with  stones. 

When  he  saw  Jesus  a  long  way  off,  he  ran  and  knelt  to  him 
and  shouted  with  a  loud  voice,  “What  have  I  and  you  to  do 
with  each  other,  Jesus,  Son  of  God  most  high?  I  adjure  you 
by  God,  not  to  torment  me.”  For  Jesus  had  said  to  him, 
“Come  out  from  the  man,  you  impure  spirit.”  Jesus  asked 
him,  “What  is  your  name?”  He  replied,  “Legion  is  my  name, 
for  we  are  many.  ”  Then  he  begged  Jesus  earnestly  not  to  send 
them  out  of  the  country.  There  was  on  the  mountain-side  a 
great  herd  of  swine  feeding,  and  the  demons  begged  him, 
“Send  us  to  the  swine  and  let  us  go  into  them.”  He  consented. 
The  impure  spirits  came  out  of  the  man  and  entered  into  the 
swine.  Then  the  herd,  numbering  about  two  thousand,  rushed 
down  the  steep  bank  into  the  lake  and  were  drowned  in  the  lake. 

At  this,  those  who  were  feeding  them  fled  and  told  it  in  the 
city  and  in  the  fields,  and  people  came  to  see  what  had  hap¬ 
pened.  When  they  came  to  Jesus,  they  saw  the  demoniac,  the 
man  who  had  had  the  legion,  sitting  there  clothed  and  in  his 
right  mind.  They  were  struck  with  awe.  Those  who  had  seen 
it  told  them  about  what  had  happened  to  the  demoniac  and 
about  the  swine.  Then  they  began  to  beg  him  to  go  away  from 
their  neighborhood. 

As  Jesus  was  entering  the  boat,  the  man  who  had  been  de¬ 
moniac  begged  him  to  let  him  stay  with  him.  He,  however, 
did  not  consent,  but  said,  “Go  to  your  own  house  and  to  your 
family,  and  tell  them  what  great  things  the  Lord  has  done  for 
you  and  how  he  had  mercy  on  you.”  So  he  went  away  and 
began  to  make  known  in  Decapolis  what  great  things  Jesus  had 
done  for  him;  and  all  were  astonished. 

When  Jesus  had  recrossed  in  the  boat  to  the  other  side  of  the 
lake,  a  great  crowd  gathered  around  him  as  he  stood  on  the 
shore.  Then  came  one  of  the  directors  of  the  synagogue,  by 
the  name  of  Jairus,  and  as  soon  as  he  saw  Jesus  he  fell  at 
his  feet  and  pleaded  with  him  earnestly,  saying,  “My  little 
daughter  is  near  to  death.  I  beg  you  to  come  and  lay  your 
hands  on  her  so  that  she  may  be  saved  and  live.”  Jesus  went 
away  with  him  and  a  great  crowd  followed  and  pressed  upon 


66 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


him.  There  was  a  woman  who  had  for  twelve  years  had  a 
hemorrhage  and  had  suffered  much  under  the  treatment  of 
many  physicians,  and  had  spent  all  that  she  had,  though  with¬ 
out  becoming  better,  but  rather  worse;  this  woman  had  heard 
about  Jesus,  and  she  came  in  the  crowd  behind  him  and 
touched  his  cloak,  for  she  said,  “If  I  can  touch  even  his 
clothes,  I  shall  be  healed.”  Immediately  the  hemorrhage 
ceased  and  she  knew  in  her  body  that  she  was  healed  of  her 
affliction.  Jesus  was  at  once  conscious  that  power  had  gone 
from  him,  and  turned  in  the  crowd  and  said,  “Who  touched 
my  clothes?”  His  disciples  replied,  “You  see  the  people 
crowding  you,  and  do  you  ask,  ‘Who  touched  me?””  But 
he  looked  around  to  see  who  had  done  it.  Then  the  woman, 
afraid  and  trembling,  knowing  what  had  happened  to  her, 
came  and  fell  before  him  and  told  him  all  the  truth.  He  said  to 
her,  “Daughter,  your  faith  has  healed  you.  Go  in  peace  and 
be  well  of  your  trouble.  ” 

While  he  was  still  speaking,  people  came  from  the  house  of 
the  synagogue  Director  and  told  him,  “Your  daughter  is  dead; 
why  annoy  the  teacher  any  longer?”  But  Jesus,  overhearing 
what  they  were  saying,  said  to  the  Director,  “Never  fear;  only 
believe.  ”  He  did  not  permit  any  one  to  accompany  him  except 
Peter  and  James  and  John,  the  brother  of  James.  When  they 
approached  the  Director’s  house,  they  saw  a  noisy  crowd  weep¬ 
ing  loudly  and  wailing.  He  entered  and  said,  “Why  are  you 
making  so  much  noise  and  weeping  so?  The  child  is  not  dead, 
but  is  sleeping.  ”  But  they  laughed  at  him.  Then  he  put  them 
all  out  and  took  the  child’s  father  and  mother  and  his  own 
companions  and  went  in  where  the  child  was.  Taking  hold  of 
the  child’s  hand  he  said  to  her,  “Talitha  koum,”  which  means, 
“Little  girl,  rise  up.”  Immediately  the  little  girl  rose  up  and 
walked  around.  She  was  twelve  years  old.  They  were  utterly 
amazed.  But  he  strictly  ordered  that  no  one  should  know  it, 
and  told  them  to  give  her  something  to  eat. 

VI 

Leaving  there,  he  came  to  his  own  native  place  accompanied 
by  his  disciples.  When  the  Sabbath  came,  he  began  teaching 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


67 


in  the  synagogue.  Many  who  heard  were  astonished  and  said, 
“  Where  did  he  get  this,  and  what  is  this  wisdom  with  which 
he  is  gifted?  How  are  such  deeds  of  power  done  by  his  hands? 
Is  not  this  the  carpenter,  the  son  of  Mary  and  brother  ol 
James  and  Joseph  and  Judas  and  Simon?  And  are  not  his 
sisters  here  with  us?”  So  they  fell  into  mistake  regarding  him. 
But  Jesus  said  to  them,  “A  prophet  is  not  without  honor 
except  in  his  own  native  place  and  among  his  own  kindred  and 
in  his  own  home.”  There  he  was  unable  to  do  any  work  of 
power,  except  that  he  laid  his  hands  on  a  few  sick  people  and 
healed  them.  Their  lack  of  faith  astonished  him. 

He  made  a  circuit  through  the  villages,  teaching.  Then  he 
called  together  the  twelve  and  began  to  send  them  out  two  by 
two,  and  gave  them  authority  over  impure  spirits,  and  in¬ 
structed  them  not  to  take  anything  for  their  journey  but  just 
a  stick;  no  bread,  no  bag,  no  coppers  in  their  belts,  to  be  shod 
with  sandals,  and  not  to  have  two  tunics.  He  said  to  them, 
“Wherever  you  enter  a  house,  stay  there  until  you  leave  the 
place.  Wherever  the  people  will  not  receive  you  or  listen  to 
you,  when  you  leave  shake  off  the  dust  that  is  under  your  feet 
as  a  testimony  against  them.” 

They  went  out  and  proclaimed  that  men  should  repent,  and 
they  cast  out  many  demons  and  anointed  with  oil  many  sick 
people  and  healed  them. 

The  name  of  Jesus  was  so  much  talked  about  that  King 
Herod  heard  of  it.  Some  were  saying,  “John  the  Baptizer  has 
risen  from  the  dead,  and  therefore  these  mighty  works  are 
done  by  him.”  Others  said,  “It  is  Elijah,”  and  others  said, 
“It  is  a  prophet  like  one  of  the  old  prophets.”  But  Herod, 
when  he  heard  about  him,  said,  “John,  the  man  whom  I 
beheaded,  has  risen  again.”  Herod  himself  had  sent  and  ar¬ 
rested  John  and  bound  him  in  prison  for  the  sake  of  Herodias, 
his  brother  Philip’s  wife,  whom  he  had  married.  For  John  had 
said  to  Herod,  “It  is  not  right  for  you  to  have  your  brother’s 
wife.  ”  Herodias  hated  him  and  wished  to  kill  him,  but  was 
unable  to  do  so,  because  Herod  reverenced  John,  knowing 
that  he  was  a  righteous  and  holy  man,  and  he  protected  him. 
When  Herod  heard  John,  he  was  much  perplexed,  and  yet  he 


68 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


was  glad  to  listen  to  him.  But  an  opportunity  came  for 
Herodias  when  Herod,  on  his  birthday,  gave  a  feast  to  his  high 
officials  and  military  officers  and  the  leading  men  of  Galilee. 
Then  the  daughter  of  Herodias  came  in  and  danced  and 
pleased  Herod  and  his  guests.  The  King  said  to  the  girl, 
“  Ask  me  for  whatever  you  will  and  I  will  give  it  to  you.”  He 
swore,  “  Whatever  you  ask  I  will  give  you,  up  to  the  half  of  my 
kingdom.”  The  girl  went  out  and  said  to  her  mother,  “What 
shall  I  ask?”  She  replied,  “The  head  of  John  the  Baptizer.” 
The  girl  immediately  hurried  in  and  said  to  the  King,  “I 
choose  to  have  you  give  me  right  now  the  head  of  John  the 
Baptizer  on  a  platter.  ”  This  made  the  King  very  sorry,  but  on 
account  of  his  oaths  and  his  guests  he  was  unwilling  to  refuse 
her.  So  he  immediately  sent  one  of  the  guardsmen  with  orders 
to  bring  John’s  head.  The  soldier  went  and  beheaded  him  in 
the  prison  and  brought  the  head  on  a  platter  and  gave  it  to  the 
girl,  and  she  gave  it  to  her  mother.  When  John’s  disciples 
heard  about  it,  they  came  and  took  the  body  and  laid  it  in  a 
tomb. 

The  apostles  gathered  back  to  Jesus  and  reported  to  him  all 
that  they  had  done  and  all  that  they  had  taught.  He  said  to 
them,  “Come  away  alone  into  some  solitary  place  and  rest  a 
little.”  For  there  were  many  people  coming  and  going,  and 
they  had  no  time  even  to  eat.  So  they  put  off  in  a  boat  for  an 
uninhabited,  solitary  place.  But  many  saw  them  going  and 
recognized  them,  and  ran  together  by  land  from  all  the  towns 
and  got  there  before  them.  When  Jesus  landed,  he  saw  a  great 
crowd,  and  he  was  filled  with  compassion  for  them  because 
they  were  like  sheep  without  a  shepherd,  and  he  began  and 
taught  them  many  things. 

By  this  time  it  was  late  in  the  day,  and  his  disciples  came  to 
him  and  said,  “This  is  an  uninhabited  place  and  the  hour  is 
already  late.  Send  them  away  so  that  they  can  go  to  the  farms 
and  villages  around  and  buy  themselves  something  to  eat.” 
But  Jesus  answered,  “Give  them  something  to  eat  your¬ 
selves.”  They  said,  “Shall  we  go  and  buy  two  hundred  shil¬ 
lings’  worth  of  bread  and  feed  them?”  He  asked,  “How  many 
loaves  have  you?  Go  and  see.”  When  they  had  ascertained 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


69 


they  said,  “  Five,  and  there  are  two  fishes.  ”  Then  he  told  them 
to  have  all  the  people  recline  in  groups  on  the  green  grass. 
They  lay  down  in  rows  by  hundreds  and  by  fifties.  Then  he 
took  the  five  loaves  and  the  two  fishes,  and  looked  up  to  heaven 
and  blessed  them,  and  broke  them  and  gave  them  to  the 
disciples  to  distribute  to  the  people.  The  two  fishes  he  also 
divided  among  all.  All  ate  and  had  abundance,  and  they 
picked  up  twelve  basketfuls  of  the  broken  pieces  of  the  bread, 
besides  portions  of  the  fishes.  There  were  five  thousand  men 
who  ate  of  the  loaves. 

Jesus  immediately  had  his  disciples  get  into  the  boat  and 
cross  before  him  to  Bethsaida  while  he  was  dismissing  the 
crowd.  After  taking  leave  of  them,  he  went  away  up  the 
mountain  to  pray.  When  evening  had  fallen,  the  boat  was  half 
across  the  lake  and  he  was  alone  on  the  land.  He  saw  them 
distressed  in  rowing,  for  the  wind  was  against  them.  About 
the  fourth  watch  of  the  night,  he  came  to  them  walking  on  the 
lake  and  he  seemed  to  be  going  past  them.  But  when  they  saw 
him  walking  on  the  lake,  they  thought  that  it  was  a  ghost  and 
cried  out.  For  they  all  saw  him  and  were  frightened.  But  he 
immediately  spoke  to  them  and  said,  “ Courage!  It  is  I.  Do 
not  be  afraid.”  Then  he  got  into  the  boat  with  them  and  the 
wind  dropped.  They  were  in  boundless  amazement;  for  they 
had  not  grasped  the  miracle  of  the  loaves  because  their  minds 
were  dull. 

When  they  had  crossed  to  the  land  they’ came  to  Gennesaret 
and  dropped  anchor.  As  soon  as  they  got  out  of  the  boat,  the 
people  recognized  Jesus  and  hurried  over  all  that  region  and 
brought  in  the  sick  on  pallets  wherever  they  heard  that  he  was. 
Whenever  he  went  into  villages  or  towns  or  among  the  farms 
they  would  lay  the  sick  in  the  streets  and  beg  him  to  let  them 
touch  at  least  the  tassel  of  his  cloak.  And  all  who  touched 
were  healed. 


VII 

Once  the  Pharisees  gathered  about  him  with  some  of  the 
scribes  who  had  come  from  Jerusalem,  and  they  saw  that  some 
of  his  disciples  were  eating  bread  with  “common,”  that  is,  un- 


70 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


washed,  hands.  For  the  Pharisees  and  all  the  Jews  never  eat 
without  first  washing  their  hands  up  to  the  wrist,  holding  faith¬ 
fully  to  the  tradition  of  their  forefathers,  and  when  they  return 
from  market  they  do  not  eat  until  they  have  washed.  There 
are  also  many  other  traditions  which  they  have  been  taught  to 
hold  tenaciously,  such  as  washing  cups  and  pitchers  and  copper 
vessels.  The  Pharisees  and  scribes  asked  him,  “Why  do  not 
your  disciples  live  according  to  the  tradition  of  our  fore¬ 
fathers?  Why  do  they  eat  their  bread  with  common  hands?” 
He  replied,  “Well  did  Isaiah  prophesy  about  you  hypocrites 
when  he  wrote:  ‘This  people  honor  me  with  their  lips,  but 
their  heart  is  far  from  me;  in  vain  they  worship  me,  while  they 
teach  what  are  merely  commandments  of  men. ’  Neglecting  the 
commands  of  God,  you  hold  firmly  to  the  traditions  of  men.  ” 
He  said  further  to  them,  “How  thoroughly  you  set  aside  the 
command  of  God  so  that  you  may  keep  your  tradition!  For 
Moses  said,  ‘Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother,’  and,  ‘He  who 
speaks  evil  of  father  or  mother  must  surely  die.  ’  But  you  say, 
‘If  a  man  says  to  his  father  or  his  mother,  Whatever  benefit 
you  enjoy  from  me  is  now  Korban,  that  is,  a  gift  to  God,  ’  —  you 
no  longer  let  him  do  anything  for  his  father  or  his  mother,  thus 
nullifying  the  word  of  God  by  your  tradition  which  you  have 
handed  down;  and  many  similar  things  you  do.”  Then,  calling 
the  crowd  to  him  again,  he  said  to  them,  “Hear  me,  all  of  you, 
and  understand.  There  is  nothing  from  outside  a  man  that  can 
go  into  him  and  defile  him,  but  the  things  that  come  out  of 
the  man  are  the  things  that  defile  the  man.” 

After  he  had  gone  into  the  house,  his  disciples  asked  about 
his  figurative  language.  He  said,  “Are  you  too  so  lacking  in 
insight?  Do  you  not  know  that  everything  from  outside  that 
goes  into  a  man  is  unable  to  defile  him,  for  it  does  not  go  into 
his  heart,  but  into  his  stomach  and  passes  out  into  the  sewer?” 
Thus  he  pronounced  all  foods  clean.  “But,”  he  said,  “what 
comes  out  of  a  man  is  what  defiles  him;  for  from  within,  out 
of  the  hearts  of  men,  come  evil  thoughts,  unchastities,  thefts, 
murders,  adulteries,  lusts,  wickednesses,  deceit,  sensuality, 
an  evil  eye,  slander,  arrogance,  recklessness  —  all  these  bad 
things  come  out  from  within,  and  they  defile  the  man.  ” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


71 


Leaving  that  place,  Jesus  went  into  the  borders  of  Tyre.  He 
entered  a  house  and  did  not  wish  any  one  to  know  it,  but  he 
could  not  escape  notice.  At  once  a  woman  whose  daughter 
was  afflicted  by  an  impure  spirit  heard  about  him,  and  she  came 
and  fell  at  his  feet.  The  woman  was  a  Greek,  a  Syrophoeni- 
cian  by  race.  She  begged  him  to  cast  the  demon  out  of  her 
daughter.  But  he  said,  “Let  the  children  be  well  fed  first. 
For  it  is  not  right  to  take  the  children’s  bread  and  throw  it  to 
the  dogs.”  She  answered,  “Yes,  Sir,  even  the  dogs  under  the 
table  eat  from  the  children’s  crumbs.”  Then  he  said  to  her, 
“For  this  answer,  go.  The  demon  has  gone  out  of  your  daugh¬ 
ter.  ”  She  returned  to  her  house  and  found  the  child  lying  on  the 
bed  and  the  demon  gone. 

Again  leaving  the  region  of  Tyre,  he  came  through  Sidon  to 
the  lake  of  Galilee  into  the  midst  of  the  region  of  Decapolis. 
They  brought  to  him  a  deaf  man  who  stammered,  and  begged 
him  to  lay  his  hand  on  him.  He  took  him  aside  from  the 
crowd,  put  his  fingers  into  his  ears,  and  touched  his  tongue 
with  spit.  Then  looking  up  to  heaven,  he  sighed  and  said, 
“Ephphatha”  (that  is,  Be  opened),  and  his  ears  were  opened, 
and  immediately  his  tongue  was  freed  and  he  talked  plainly. 
Jesus  gave  them  strict  orders  not  to  tell  any  one.  But  the 
more  he  forbade  them  the  more  widely  they  spread  it,  for  they 
were  astonished  beyond  all  bounds  and  said,  “He  has  done 
everything  well.  He  makes  the  deaf  hear  and  the  dumb 
speak.” 

VIII 

In  those  days,  when  there  was  again  a  large  crowd  and  they 
had  nothing  to  eat,  Jesus  called  together  his  disciples  and  said 
to  them,  “I  have  compassion  on  the  crowd  because  they  have 
already  spent  three  days  with  me  and  they  have  nothing  to 
eat.  If  I  send  them  home  hungry,  they  will  faint  on  the  road. 
Some  of  them  are  from  a  long  way  off.  ”  His  disciples  answered, 
“Where  will  any  one  be  able  to  get  bread  to  supply  these 
people  here  in  the  uninhabited  country?”  He  asked  them, 
“How  many  loaves  have  you?”  They  said,  “Seven.”  He 
told  the  people  to  recline  on  the  ground.  Then  he  took  the 


72 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


seven  loaves  and,  after  giving  thanks,  broke  them  and  gave 
them  to  his  disciples  to  distribute,  and  they  distributed  to  the 
people.  They  had  also  a  few  small  fishes.  These  he  blessed  and 
told  the  disciples  to  distribute  them.  All  ate  and  were  satis¬ 
fied,  and  they  picked  up  of  the  fragments  that  were  left  over 
seven  basketfuls.  There  were  about  four  thousand  men.  Then 
he  dismissed  them.  At  once  he  got  into  a  boat  with  the  disci¬ 
ples  and  went  to  the  region  of  Dalmanutha. 

The  Pharisees  came  out  and  began  to  argue  with  him,  asking 
him  for  a  sign  from  heaven,  in  order  to  test  him.  He  sighed 
deeply  and  said,  “Why  does  this  generation  ask  for  a  sign? 
In  truth  1  tell  you  no  sign  will  be  given  to  this  generation.  ” 
Then  he  left  them  and  got  into  the  boat  again  and  went  away 
across  the  lake. 

They  had  forgotten  to  take  bread,  and  except  one  loaf  they 
had  none  with  them  in  the  boat.  Jesus  warned  them,  “Beware, 
be  on  your  guard  against  the  yeast  of  the  Pharisees  and  the 
yeast  of  Herod.”  They  began  to  talk  among  themselves  about 
their  lack  of  bread.  He  perceived  it,  and  said  to  them,  “Why 
are  you  talking  about  your  lack  of  bread?  Do  you  not  yet 
know  or  understand?  Have  you  dull  minds?  You  have  eyes; 
can  you  not  see?  You  have  ears;  can  you  not  hear?  Do  you 
not  remember  when  I  broke  the  five  loaves  for  the  five  thous¬ 
and,  how  many  basketfuls  of  fragments  you  picked  up?” 
They  said,  “Twelve.”  “And  when  1  broke  the  seven  loaves 
for  the  four  thousand  how  many  basketfuls  of  fragments  you 
picked  up?”  They  said,  “Seven.”  He  said,  “Do  you  not 
understand  even  yet?” 

They  came  to  Bethsaida.  There  some  people  brought  to  him 
a  blind  man  and  begged  him  to  touch  him.  Taking  hold  of  the 
blind  man’s  hand,  he  led  him  out  of  the  village.  Then,  after 
spitting  in  his  eyes  and  laying  his  hands  on  him,  he  asked  him, 
“Do  you  see  anything?”  He  looked  up  and  said,  “I  see  the 
people;  I  see  them  like  trees,  walking  around.”  Again  Jesus 
put  his  hand  on  his  eyes,  and  he  looked  and  was  restored  and 
saw  everything  clearly.  Then  Jesus  sent  him  away  home,  say¬ 
ing,  “Do  not  go  into  the  village.” 

Jesus  went  away  with  his  disciples  to  the  villages  round 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


73 


Caesarea  Philippi.  On  the  road  he  asked  them,  “Who  do  the 
people  say  that  I  am?”  They  replied,  “Some  say  John  the 
Baptist;  others  say  Elijah;  others  say  one  of  the  prophets.” 
He  asked  them,  “But  you,  who  do  you  say  that  1  am?” 
Peter  answered,  “You  are  the  Christ. ”  He  gave  them  strict 
orders  not  to  tell  any  one  about  him. 

Then  he  began  and  taught  them  that  it  was  necessary  for  the 
Son  of  Man  to  suffer  many  things,  and  to  be  rejected  by  the 
elders  and  the  high  priests  and  the  scribes,  and  to  be  put  to 
death,  and  after  three  days  to  rise  again.  He  spoke  about  this 
frankly.  But  Peter  took  him  and  began  to  reprove  him.  He 
turned  and  looked  at  his  disciples  and  reproved  Peter  with  the 
words,  “Get  behind  me,  Satan.  You  are  not  thinking  God’s 
thoughts,  but  men’s  thoughts.”  Then  he  called  the  crowd 
along  with  his  disciples  and  said  to  them,  “  If  any  one  wishes  to 
come  after  me,  let  him  disown  himself  and  take  up  his  cross 
and  follow  me.  Whoever  wishes  to  save  his  life  will  lose  it;  but 
whoever  loses  his  life  for  my  sake  and  the  sake  of  the  good 
news  will  save  it.  What  does  it  profit  a  man  to  gain  the  whole 
world  and  lose  his  soul?  For  what  could  a  man  give  to  buy 
back  his  soul?  Whoever  is  ashamed  of  me  and  of  my  words  in 
this  adulterous  and  sinful  generation,  of  him  the  Son  of  Man 
will  be  ashamed  when  he  comes  in  the  glory  of  his  Father  with 
his  holy  angels.” 

IX 

He  said  further  to  them,  “I  tell  you  truly  that  there  are  some 
of  those  who  are  standing  here,  who  will  not  taste  of  death 
until  they  see  the  kingdom  of  God  already  here  in  power.  ” 

Six  days  later,  Jesus  took  Peter  and  James  and  John  and 
led  them  up  a  high  mountain.  They  were  all  alone.  There  in 
their  presence  he  became  transfigured.  His  clothes  became 
dazzlingly  white,  with  a  whiteness  that  no  bleacher  on  earth 
can  impart.  Then  Moses  and  Elijah  appeared  to  them  and 
conversed  with  Jesus.  Peter  said  to  Jesus,  “Rabbi,  it  is  fine 
for  us  to  be  here.  Let  us  make  three  tents,  one  for  you,  one  for 
Moses,  and  one  for  Elijah.”  For  he  did  not  know  what  to 
say,  they  were  so  frightened.  Then  a  cloud  overshadowed 


74 


'  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


them  and  there  came  a  voice  out  of  the  cloud,  “This  is  my 
beloved  son,  hear  him.”  Then  suddenly  as  they  looked 
around  they  no  longer  saw  any  one,  but  Jesus  only,  with 
themselves. 

When  they  were  descending  the  mountain,  he  told  them  not 
to  tell  any  one  what  they  had  seen  until  the  Son  of  Man  had 
risen  from  the  dead.  This  command  they  kept,  but  debated 
among  themselves  what  the  rising  from  the  dead  was.  They 
asked  him,  “Why  do  the  scribes  say  that  Elijah  must  come 
first?  ”  He  said,  “  Elijah  does  come  first  and  reforms  everything. 
How  is  it  written  also  of  the  Son  of  Man  that  he  suffers  many 
things  and  is  treated  with  contempt?  I  tell  you  Elijah  has 
already  come,  and  they  have  done  to  him  what  they  chose, 
just  as  it  was  written  of  him.  ” 

When  they  came  to  his  disciples,  they  saw  a  great  crowd 
around  them  and  scribes  debating  with  them.  At  once  the 
whole  crowd  saw  him  and  were  amazed,  and  they  ran  to  him 
and  welcomed  him.  He  asked  them,  “What  are  you  debat¬ 
ing?”  One  of  the  crowd  answered,  “Teacher,  I  have  brought 
my  son  to  you.  He  has  a  dumb  spirit,  and  whenever  it  attacks 
him  it  convulses  him  and  he  foams  at  the  mouth  and  grinds  his 
teeth.  He  is  wasting  away.  I  asked  your  disciples  to  cast  it 
out,  but  they  had  not  the  power.”  Jesus  answered,  “O  faith¬ 
less  generation !  how  long  must  I  be  with  you?  How  long  must 
I  bear  with  you?  Bring  him  to  me.  ”  They  brought  him  to  him. 
As  soon  as  the  spirit  saw  Jesus,  he  convulsed  the  boy  so  that  he 
fell  on  the  ground  and  rolled  about,  foaming  at  the  mouth. 
Jesus  asked  the  father,  “How  long  is  it  since  this  came  on 
him?”  He  said,  “From  early  childhood.  Often  it  has  thrown 
him  into  the  fire  or  into  the  water  to  destroy  him.  But  if  you 
can  do  anything,  have  pity  on  us  and  help  us.  ”  Jesus  said,  “  ‘  If 
you  can’!  All  things  are  possible  for  one  who  believes.”  At 
once  the  father  of  the  child  cried  out,  “I  believe;  help  my  un¬ 
belief.”  Jesus  saw  that  the  crowd  was  rapidly  increasing,  so 
he  rebuked  the  impure  spirit  with  the  words,  “Deaf  and  dumb 
spirit,  I  command  you  to  come  out  and  never  to  enter  him 
again.”  He  screamed  and  convulsed  the  boy  and  came  out. 
The  boy  looked  like- a  corpse,  so  that  most  of  them  said,  “He 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK  75 

is  dead.  ”  But  Jesus  took  him  by  the  hand  and  raised  him  and 
he  stood  up. 

After  he  had  gone  into  the  house,  his  disciples  asked  him 
privately,  “Why  were  we  not  able  to  cast  it  out?”  He  said, 
“This  kind  cannot  come  out  by  any  means  except  by  prayer.” 

After  leaving  there,  they  were  passing  through  Galilee,  and 
he  did  not  wish  any  one  to  know  it.  For  he  was  teaching  his 
disciples  and  telling  them  that  the  Son  of  Man  would  be  be¬ 
trayed  into  the  hands  of  men  and  that  they  would  kill  him,  and 
that  three  days  after  being  killed  he  would  rise.  But  they  did 
not  understand  what  he  said  and  were  afraid  to  question  him. 

They  came  to  Capernaum.  After  entering  the  house,  Jesus 
asked  them,  “What  were  you  discussing  on  the  road?”  They 
were  silent,  for  on  the  road  they  had  disputed  among  them¬ 
selves  which  was  the  greatest.  Taking  a  seat  he  called  the 
twelve,  and  said,  “If  any  one  wishes  to  be  first,  he  must  be  the 
last  of  all  and  the  servant  of  all.  ”  Then  he  took  a  little  child 
and  placed  him  in  the  midst  of  them,  and,  putting  his  arms 
around  him,  said,  “Whoever  receives  one  of  such  little  children 
in  my  name  receives  me ;  and  whoever  receives  me  receives  not 
me,  but  him  who  sent  me.  ” 

John  said  to  him,  “Teacher,  we  saw  a  man  casting  out 
demons  in  your  name  —  a  man  who  does  not  follow  us  —  and 
we  told  him  not  to  do  it,  because  he  does  not  follow  us.  ”  Jesus 
said,  “Do  not  tell  him  not  to  do  it.  For  no  one  who  does  a 
miracle  in  my  name  can  quickly  speak  evil  of  me.  For  whoever 
is  not  against  us  is  for  us.  For  whoever  gives  you  a  cup  of 
water  to  drink  because  you  belong  to  Christ,  1  tell  you  truly 
that  he  will  not  miss  his  reward.  And  whoever  causes  the  fall 
of  one  of  these  little  ones  that  believe,  it  would  be  better  for 
him  if,  with  a  great  millstone  hung  around  his  neck,  he  had 
been  cast  into  the  lake.  If  your  hand  is  a  snare  to  you,  cut  it 
off.  It  is  better  for  you  to  enter  into  life  maimed  than  with  two 
hands  to  go  away  into  Gehenna,  into  the  unquenchable  fire. 
If  your  foot  is  a  snare  to  you,  cut  it  off.  It  is  better  for  you  to 
enter  into  life  lame  than  with  two  feet  to  be  cast  into  Gehenna. 
If  your  eye  is  a  snare  to  you,  tear  it  out.  It  is  better  to  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God  one-eyed  than  with  two  eyes  to  be 


76 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


cast  into  Gehenna,  where  their  worm  does  not  die  and  the  fire 
is  not  quenched.  For  every  one  will  be  salted  with  fire.  Salt  is 
good,  but  if  the  salt  loses  its  saltness,  with  what  can  you  flavor 
it?  Have  salt  in  yourselves  and  be  at  peace  with  one  another.  ” 

X 

Starting  from  there,  he  came  into  the  land  of  Judaea  and 
beyond  the  Jordan.  Again  the  people  crowded  to  him,  and 
again  as  usual  he  was  teaching  them.  Some  Pharisees  came  up 
and  asked  him,  “Is  it  right  for  a  man  to  divorce  his  wife?” 
They  meant  to  catch  him.  He  answered,  “What  did  Moses 
command  you?”  They  said,  “Moses  permitted  a  husband  to 
give  a  certificate  of  divorce  and  send  his  wife  away.”  Jesus 
said  to  them,  “Because  of  your  hard-heartedness  he  wrote  this 
law  for  you.  But  from  the  beginning  of  the  creation,  ‘male  and 
female  made  he  them.'  ‘Therefore  shall  a  man  leave  his  fa¬ 
ther  and  his  mother  and  the  two  shall  become  one  flesh. '  So 
they  are  no  longer  two,  but  one  flesh.  What  therefore  God  has 
joined  together,  let  not  man  put  asunder.  ”  When  they  were  in 
the  house,  his  disciples  asked  him  again  about  this.  He  said  to 
them,  “Whoever  divorces  his  wife  and  marries  another  com¬ 
mits  adultery  against  her.  And  if  a  wife  divorces  her  husband 
and  marries  another  she  commits  adultery.  ” 

They  were  bringing  little  children  to  him  to  have  him  touch 
them,  but  his  disciples  rebuked  them.  When  Jesus  saw  it,  he 
was  much  displeased,  and  said,  “Let  the  little  children  come  to 
me  and  do  not  hinder  them;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God. 
I  tell  you  truly  whoever  does  not  receive  the  kingdom  of  God 
as  a  little  child  will  not  enter  it.  ”  Then  he  took  them  into  his 
arms  and  blessed  them,  putting  his  hands  on  them. 

While  he  was  going  out  into  the  road,  a  man  came  running 
and  knelt  before  him  and  asked,  “Good  teacher,  what  shall  I 
do  to  inherit  life  eternal?”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “Why  do  you 
call  me  good?  No  one  is  good  except  God  alone.  You  know 
the  commandments :  ‘  Do  not  murder,  Do  not  commit  adultery, 
Do  not  steal,  Do  not  bear  false  witness,  Do  not  defraud, 
Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother.'”  He  answered,  “Teacher, 
all  these  I  have  kept  from  my  boyhood.  ”  Jesus  looking  at  him 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


77 


loved  him  and  said  to  him,  “One  thing  you  lack.  Go  sell  all 
that  you  have  and  give  to  the  poor  and  you  will  have  treasure 
in  heaven.  Then  come  follow  me.”  But  his  face  darkened  at 
that  reply,  and  he  went  away  grieved,  for  he  had  great  posses¬ 
sions.  Then  Jesus,  looking  around  on  his  disciples,  said,  “With 
what  difficulty  will  those  who  have  wealth  enter  the  kingdom 
of  God!”  The  disciples  were  astonished  at  his  words.  Jesus 
spoke  again  and  said,  “Children,  how  difficult  it  is  to  enter  the 
kingdom  of  God !  It  is  easier  for  a  camel  to  go  through  the  eye 
of  a  needle  than  for  a  rich  man  to  enter  the  kingdom  of  God.” 
They  were  amazed  beyond  measure  and  said  to  one  another, 
“Then  who  can  be  saved?”  Jesus  looked  at  them  and  said, 
“With  men  it  is  impossible,  but  not  with  God;  for  all  things 
are  possible  with  God.”  Peter  began,  “Well,  we  have  left 
everything  and  have  followed  you.”  Jesus  said,  “I  tell  you 
truly  there  is  no  one  who  has  left  house  or  brothers  or  sisters  or 
mother  or  father  or  children  or  lands  for  my  sake  and  for  the 
sake  of  the  good  news,  who  will  not  receive  a  hundred  fold 
more  now  in  this  time,  houses  and  brothers  and  sisters  and 
mothers  and  children  and  lands,  with  persecutions,  and  in  the 
world  to  come  life  eternal.  But  many  who  are  first  will  be  last 
and  the  last  first.” 

They  were  on  the  road  going  up  to  Jerusalem  and  Jesus  was 
walking  in  advance.  Astonishment  fell  on  them,  and  those 
who  were  following  were  fearful.  Then  again  he  took  aside  the 
twelve  and  began  and  told  them  what  was  going  to  happen  to 
him.  He  said,  “See,  we  are  going  up  to  Jerusalem,  and  the  Son 
of  Man  will  be  delivered  to  the  high  priests  and  the  scribes, 
and  they  will  condemn  him  to  death  and  will  hand  him  over  to 
the  Gentiles,  and  they  will  make  sport  of  him  and  spit  on  him 
and  scourge  him  and  kill  him.  But  after  three  days  he  will  rise.  ” 

James  and  John  the  sons  of  Zebedee  came  to  him  and  said, 
“  Teacher,  we  want  you  to  do  for  us  whatever  we  ask  you.  ”  He 
said,  “  What  do  you  want  me  to  do  for  you?”  They  said, 
“Grant  that  one  of  us  may  sit  on  your  right  hand  and  the 
other  on  your  left  hand  in  your  glory.  ”  Jesus  said  to  them, 
“You  do  not  know  what  you  are  asking.  Can  you  drink  the 
cup  that  I  drink  or  be  baptized  with  the  baptism  that  I  am 


78 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 

baptized  with?”  They  said  to  him,  “We  can.”  Jesus  said, 
“The  cup  that  I  drink  you  will  drink,  and  you  will  be  baptized 
with  the  baptism  that  I  am  baptized  with;  but  to  sit  on  my 
right  or  my  left  is  not  mine  to  give,  but  it  will  be  for  those  for 
whom  it  has  been  prepared.” 

When  the  ten  heard  about  this,  they  became  indignant  at 
James  and  John.  Jesus  called  them  to  him  and  said,  “You 
know  that  those  who  are  thought  to  rule  the  Gentiles  lord  it 
over  them,  and  their  great  ones  exercise  authority  over  them. 
It  is  not  so  among  you.  But  whoever  wishes  to  become  great 
among  you  shall  be  your  servant,  and  whoever  of  you  wishes  to 
be  first  shall  be  the  slave  of  all.  For  even  the  Son  of  Man  did 
not  come  to  be  served,  but  to  serve  and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom 
for  many.” 

They  came  to  Jericho.  As  Jesus  was  leaving  Jericho  with 
his  disciples  and  a  large  crowd,  Bartimseus  (the  son  of  Timseus), 
a  blind  beggar,  was  sitting  by  the  roadside.  When  he  heard 
that  it  was  Jesus  the  Nazarene,  he  began  to  cry  out  and  say, 
“Son  of  David,  Jesus,  pity  me!”  Jesus  stopped  and  said, 
“Call  him.”  They  called  the  blind  man,  saying,  “Courage; 
rise  up;  he  is  calling  you.”  He,  throwing  aside  his  cloak, 
sprang  up  and  came  to  Jesus.  Jesus  said  to  him,  “What  do  you 
want  me  to  do  for  you?”  The  blind  man  said,  “Rabboni,  I 
want  to  regain  my  sight.”  Jesus  said,  “Go.  Your  faith  has 
healed  you.  ”  At  once  he  could  see  and  followed  Jesus  along  the 
road. 

XI 

When  they  were  approaching  Jerusalem,  near  Bethphage  and 
Bethany,  on  the  Mount  of  Olives,  Jesus  sent  two  of  his  disciples 
and  told  them,  “Go  into  the  village  across  there,  and  immedi¬ 
ately,  as  you  enter,  you  will  find  a  colt  tied,  upon  which  no 
man  has  ever  yet  sat.  Untie  him  and  bring  him.  If  anybody 
asks,  1  Why  are  you  doing  this?  ’  say,  1  The  Master  has  need  of 
him,  ’  and  at  once  he  will  send  him.  ”  They  went  and  found  the 
colt  tied  near  the  door  outside  in  the  street,  and  they  untied 
him.  Some  of  those  who  were  standing  there  said  to  them, 
“  What  are  you  doing,  untying  the  colt?  ”  They  gave  the  reply 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


79 


that  Jesus  had  told  them  to  give,  and  the  men  let  them  take  it. 
They  brought  the  colt  to  Jesus  and  threw  upon  it  their  cloaks 
and  he  mounted  it.  Then  many  spread  their  cloaks  in  the  road 
and  others  spread  leafy  branches  which  they  had  cut  from  the 
fields.  Some  went  in  front  and  some  followed,  shouting,  “God 
save  him!  Blessed  is  he  who  comes  in  the  name  of  the  Lord! 
Blessed  is  the  coming  kingdom  of  our  father  David!  God  in 
highest  heaven  save  him!”  He  entered  Jerusalem  and  came 
into  the  Temple  courts.  After  inspecting  everything,  be¬ 
cause  it  was  already  late  he  went  out  to  Bethany  with  the 
twelve. 

On  the  next  morning,  after  they  had  left  Bethany,  he  was 
hungry,  and  seeing  a  fig  tree  at  a  distance  in  full  leaf  he  went 
to  it  on  the  chance  of  finding  something  on  it.  But  when  he 
came  to  it,  he  found  nothing  but  leaves,  for  it  was  not  the 
season  for  figs.  Then  he  said  to  it,  “Nevermore  may  any  one 
eat  fruit  from  you!”  And  his  disciples  heard  him. 

They  came  to  Jerusalem,  and  he  went  into  the  Temple 
courts  and  began  to  cast  out  those  who  were  buying  and  selling 
there.  He  overturned  the  tables  of  the  money-changers  and 
the  seats  of  the  dove-sellers,  and  would  not  allow  any  one  to 
carry  anything  through  the  Temple  courts,  for  he  taught  and 
said  to  them,  “Is  it  not  written,  ‘My  house  shall  be  called  a 
house  of  prayer  for  all  the  nations’?  But  you  have  made  it  a 
den  of  robbers.  ”  When  the  high  priests  and  the  scribes  heard 
of  this  they  tried  to  contrive  to  put  him  out  of  the  way,  for 
they  were  afraid  of  him  because  the  people  were  deeply  im¬ 
pressed  by  his  teaching.  When  evening  came,  Jesus  and  his 
disciples  used  to  go  out  of  the  city. 

As  they  were  passing  by  early  in  the  morning  they  saw  the 
fig  tree  withered  from  the  roots.  Peter,  calling  to  mind,  said 
to  him,  “Rabbi,  see,  the  fig  tree  that  you  cursed  has  withered 
up.  ”  Jesus  answered,  “  Have  faith  in  God.  I  tell  you  truly  who¬ 
ever  says  to  this  mountain,  ‘Be  taken  up  and  be  cast  into  the 
sea,’  and  does  not  doubt  in  his  mind,  but  believes  that  what 
he  says  will  be,  will  have  it.  For  this  reason  I  say  to  you,  all 
things  whatever  that  you  pray  and  ask  for,  believe  that  you 
have  obtained  them  and  you  will  have  them.  And  when  you 


80 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


stand  praying,  forgive  if  you  have  anything  against  any  one, 
so  that  your  Father  in  heaven  may  forgive  you  your  failings.  ” 
They  came  again  to  Jerusalem,  and  as  he  was  walking  about 
in  the  Temple  courts,  the  high  priests  and  the  scribes  came  to 
him  and  said,  “By  what  authority  do  you  do  these  things? 
Or  who  gave  you  authority  to  do  them?”  Jesus  replied,  “I 
will  ask  you  one  question;  answer  me  and  I  will  tell  you  by 
what  authority  I  am  doing  these  things.  The  baptism  of  John 
—  was  it  from  heaven  or  of  men?  Answer  me.  ”  But  they  dis¬ 
cussed  among  themselves,  “If  we  say  ‘From  heaven/  he  will 
say,  ‘Then  why  did  you  not  believe  him?’  But  if  we  say, 
‘From  men/  ”  —  they  feared  the  people,  for  all  regarded  John 
as  really  a  prophet.  So  they  answered  Jesus,  “We  do  not 
know.  ”  And  he  replied,  “  Neither  will  I  tell  you  by  what  power 
I  am  doing  these  things.” 

XII 

Then  he  began  to  speak  to  them  in  figures:  “There  was  a  man 
who  planted  a  vineyard  and  put  a  fence  around  it  and  dug 
for  a  wine-vat,  and  built  a  tower  and  let  it  out  to  grape- 
growers,  and  then  went  abroad.  At  the  proper  season  he  sent 
a  servant  to  the  grape-growers  to  receive  from  them  some  of 
the  fruits  of  the  vineyard.  But  they  took  him  and  beat  him  and 
sent  him  away  empty-handed.  Again  he  sent  another  servant  to 
them,  and  him  they  beat  over  the  head  and  insulted.  He  sent 
another,  and  him  they  killed.  He  sent  many  others,  some  of 
whom  were  beaten  and  some  killed.  He  had  still  one,  a  be¬ 
loved  son.  He  sent  him  last  to  them,  saying,  ‘They  will  re¬ 
spect  my  son.  ’  But  those  grape-growers  said  to  one  another, 
‘This  is  the  heir.  Come,  let  us  kill  him  and  the  inheritance 
will  be  ours.  ’  Then  they  took  him  and  killed  him  and  threw 
him  out  of  the  vineyard.  What  will  the  owner  of  the  vineyard 
do?  He  will  come  and  destroy  the  grape-growers  and  will 
give  the  vineyard  to  others.  Have  you  never  read  this  Scrip¬ 
ture,  ‘The  stone  which  the  builders  despised  has  become 
the  chief  stone  of  the  corner;  this  corner  stone  came  from  the 
Lord  and  is  wonderful  in  our  eyes’?”  They  kept  trying  to 
seize  him,  but  were  afraid  of  the  crowd.  For  they  knew  that 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK  81 

he  had  meant  the  illustration  for  them.  So  they  left  him  and 
went  away. 

Then  they  sent  to  him  some  of  the  Pharisees  and  of  the 
Herodians  to  entrap  him  in  his  talk.  When  they  came,  they 
said  to  him,  “Teacher,  we  know  that  you  are  true  and  are  not 
afraid  of  any  one;  for  you  do  not  look  at  the  social  standing  of 
men,  but  you  teach  the  way  of  God  in  truth.  Is  it  right  to  pay 
tribute  to  Caesar  or  not?  Shall  we  pay  or  shall  we  not  pay?” 
But  he,  knowing  their  hypocrisy,  said  to  them,  “Why  are  you 
testing  me?  Bring  me  a  coin1  and  let  me  see  it.”  They 
brought  one.  Then  he  said,  ‘Whose  head  is  this  and  whose 
inscription?”  They  said  to  him,  “Caesar’s.”  Jesus  said  to 
them,  “Pay  what  is  Caesar’s  to  Caesar,  and  what  is  God’s  to 
God.  ”  They  were  astonished  at  him. 

Then  there  came  to  him  some  Sadducees,  who  say  that  there 
is  no  resurrection.  They  asked  him,  “Teacher,  Moses  wrote 
a  law  for  us  that  if  any  man’s  brother  dies  and  leaves  a  wife, 
but  no  child,  the  brother  shall  take  the  wife  and  raise  up  off¬ 
spring  for  his  brother.  Now  there  were  seven  brothers.  The 
first  took  a  wife  and  died  leaving  no  child,  then  the  second 
took  her  and  died  leaving  no  child,  then  the  third  likewise. 
None  of  the  seven  left  any  child.  Last  of  all  the  woman  died 
also.  In  the  resurrection  when  they  rise  again  whose  wife  will 
she  be?  For  the  seven  had  her  as  wife.”  Jesus  said  to  them, 
“  Do  you  not  err  for  the  reason  that  you  do  not  know  either  the 
Scriptures  or  the  power  of  God?  For  when  they  rise  from  the 
dead,  they  neither  marry  nor  are  given  in  marriage,  but  are  like 
the  angels  in  heaven.  And  concerning  the  dead,  that  they  rise, 
have  you  not  read  in  the  book  of  Moses  in  the  passage  about 
the  Bush,  how  God  said  to  him,  ‘I  am  the  God  of  Abraham 
and  the  God  of  Isaac  and  the  God  of  Jacob’?  He  is  not  a  God 
of  dead  men,  but  of  living  men.  You  are  much  mistaken.” 

Then  came  one  of  the  scribes,  and,  after  listening  to  their 
discussion  and  knowing  that  he  had  answered  them  well, 
asked,  “Which  is  the  first  commandment  of  all?”  Jesus  an¬ 
swered,  “The  first  is,  ‘Hear,  O  Israel,  the  Lord  our  God  is  one 
Lord,  and  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart 

1  The  coin  named  is  the  denarius,  worth  about  16§  cents. 


82 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


and  with  all  thy  soul  and  with  all  thy  mind  and  with  all  thy 
strength/  This  is  the  second,  ‘Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor 
as  thyself.’  There  is  no  other  commandment  greater  than 
these.”  The  scribe  said  to  him,  “Right,  teacher;  you  have 
said  truly  that  he  is  one  and  there  is  no  other  beside  him,  and 
to  love  him  with  all  the  heart  and  with  all  the  understanding 
and  with  all  the  strength  and  to  love  one’s  neighbor  as  one’s 
self  is  more  than  all  the  whole  burnt  offerings  and  sacrifices.  ” 
Jesus,  seeing  that  he  had  answered  with  intelligence,  said  to 
him,  “You  are  not  far  from  the  kingdom  of  God.”  After  that 
no  one  dared  question  him  further. 

Then  Jesus  asked,  while  teaching  in  the  Temple  courts, 
“How  do  the  scribes  say  that  the  Christ  is  the  son  of  David? 
David  himself,  guided  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  said,  ‘  The  Lord  said 
to  my  Lord,  sit  at  my  right  hand  till  1  put  your  enemies  under 
your  feet.’  David  himself  called  him  ‘Lord’;  how  is  he  then 
his  son?” 

A  great  crowd  listened  to  him  with  delight.  In  his  teaching 
he  said,  “Beware  of  the  scribes,  who  like  to  walk  about  in  long 
robes  and  to  have  greetings  in  the  market-places  and  front 
seats  in  the  synagogues  and  the  best  couches  at  banquets. 
They  eat  up  widows’  houses  and  hypocritically  make  long 
prayers.  These  men  will  receive  a  severer  condemnation.  ” 

Having  seated  himself  across  from  the  contribution  box,  he 
was  watching  how  the  crowd  dropped  money  into  the  box. 
Many  rich  people  were  dropping  in  large  gifts.  There  came  a 
poor  widow  and  dropped  in  two  mites,  in  value  one  penny. 
Then  Jesus  called  his  disciples  to  him  and  said  to  them,  “I  tell 
you  truly,  this  widow,  poor  as  she  is,  has  dropped  in  more  than 
all  the  others  who  are  dropping  money  into  the  contribution 
box.  For  they  all  contributed  out  of  their  superfluity,  but  she 
out  of  her  poverty  dropped  in  all  that  she  had  —  the  whole  of 
what  she  had  to  live  on.  ” 


XIII'. 

As  he  was  going  out  of  the  Temple  courts,  one  of  his  disciples 
said  to  him,  “Teacher,  see  what  great  stones  and  what  great 
buildings!”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “Do  you  see  these  great  build- 


83 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 

mgs?  There  will  not  be  left  one  stone  upon  another  which 
will  not  be  thrown  down.” 

Then,  when  he  was  sitting  on  the  Mount  of  Olives  across 
from  the  Temple  buildings,  Peter  and  James  and  John  and 
Andrew  asked  him  privately,  “Tell  us  when  these  things  will 
be,  and  what  will  be  the  sign  when  all  these  things  are  about 
to  come  to  pass?”  Jesus  began  and  said  to  them:  “See  to  it 
that  no  one  misleads  you.  Many  will  come  in  my  name,  say¬ 
ing,  ‘I  am  he/  and  they  will  deceive  many.  And  when  you 
hear  of  wars  and  rumors  of  wars,  do  not  be  alarmed.  These 
things  must  come,  but  the  end  is  not  yet.  For  nation  will 
rise  against  nation  and  kingdom  against  kingdom.  There  will 
be  earthquakes  in  various  places  and  there  will  be  famines. 
These  things  are  the  beginning  of  birth-pangs.  But  you,  be 
on  your  guard.  They  will  hand  you  over  to  councils  and  you 
will  be  beaten  in  synagogues  and  you  will  have  to  stand  before 
governors  and  kings  for  my  sake  for  a  testimony  to  them. 
The  good  news  must  first  be  preached  to  all  the  nations.  When 
they  are  taking  you  along  to  deliver  you  up,  feel  no  anxiety  what 
you  are  to  say,  but  say  whatever  is  given  to  you  in  that  hour. 
For  it  will  not  be  you  who  speak,  but  the  Holy  Spirit.  Brother 
will  betray  brother  to  death  and  father  will  betray  child,  and 
children  will  rise  up  against  parents  and  put  them  to  death. 
You  will  be  hated  by  all  men  for  my  name,  but  he  who  endures 
to  the  end,  he  will  be  saved. 

“When  you  see  the  abomination  of  desolation  standing 
where  it  ought  not  [Let  the  reader  consider],  then  let  those  in 
Judaea  flee  to  the  mountains,  and  let  him  who  is  on  top  of  the 
house  not  descend  and  enter  to  take  anything  from  his  house, 
and  let  him  who  is  in  the  field  not  turn  back  to  get  his  cloak. 
Alas  for  the  women  with  child  and  the  nursing  mothers  in 
those  days!  Pray  that  it  may  not  be  in  the  winter.  For  those 
will  be  days  of  misery  such  as  has  not  been  since  the  beginning 
of  God’s  creation  until  now,  and  never  will  be  again.  Unless  the 
Lord  had  shortened  those  days,  no  human  being  would  be 
saved.  But  for  the  sake  of  those  whom  he  has  chosen  he 
has  shortened  the  days.  Then  if  any  one  says  to  you,  ‘See 
here  is  the  Christ!’  or,  ‘See  there/  believe  him  not.  False 


84 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


Christs  and  false  prophets  will  do  signs  and  wonders  to  mislead 
if  possible  the  chosen.  But  you,  be  on  your  guard.  I  have  fore¬ 
told  you  all  things. 

“But  in  those  days,  after  that  misery,  the  sun  will  be  dark¬ 
ened  and  the  moon  will  not  give  her  light  and  the  stars  will 
be  falling  from  heaven  and  the  powers  that  are  in  the  heavens 
will  be  shaken.  Then  they  will  see  the  Son  of  Man  coming  in 
clouds  with  great  power  and  glory.  Then  he  will  send  out  his 
angels  and  will  gather  together  his  chosen  from  the  four  winds, 
from  the  farthest  bound  of  earth  to  the  farthest  bound  of 
heaven. 

“From  the  fig  tree  learn  a  comparison.  When  once  her 
branch  becomes  tender  and  puts  out  leaves,  you  know  that 
summer  is  near.  So,  when  you  see  these  things  happening, 
know  that  he  is  nigh,  yes,  at  the  door.  I  tell  you  truly  that 
this  generation  will  not  pass  away  until  all  these  things  come 
to  pass.  Heaven  and  earth  will  pass  away,  but  my  words  will 
not  pass  away. 

“But  of  that  day  or  that  hour  no  one  knows,  not  even  the 
angels  in  heaven,  not  even  the  Son,  but  the  Father  only. 

“Be  watchful,  be  wakeful,  for  you  do  not  know  when  the 
time  is.  It  is  just  as  when  a  man  going  abroad  leaves  his  house 
and  gives  to  his  servants  authority  and  to  each  his  work  and 
commands  the  porter  to  watch.  Watch,  therefore,  for  you  do 
not  know  when  the  Master  of  the  house  will  come,  whether 
at  evening  or  at  midnight  or  at  cock-crowing  or  in  the  morn¬ 
ing.  Otherwise  coming  suddenly  he  may  find  you  sleeping. 
What  I  say  to  you,  I  say  to  all,  Watch.” 

XIV 

The  Passover  and  the  Feast  of  Unleavened  Bread  were  to  come 
after  two  days.  The  high  priests  and  the  scribes  were  con¬ 
triving  how  they  might  seize  him  by  some  stratagem  and  kill 
him.  For  they  said,  “Not  at  the  feast;  there  might  be  a  popu¬ 
lar  outbreak.” 

During  his  stay  in  Bethany  in  the  house  of  Simon  the  leper, 
while  he  was  reclining  at  table  there  came  a  woman  with  an 
alabaster  jar  of  pure  nard  perfume,  very  costly.  She  broke 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


85 


the  jar  and  poured  the  perfume  on  his  head.  Some  were  indig¬ 
nant  among  themselves  and  said,  “For  what  purpose  was  this 
waste  of  the  perfume?  This  perfume  could  have  been  sold  for 
more  than  three  hundred  shillings  and  the  money  given  to  the 
poor.  ”  So  they  were  indignant  at  her.  But  Jesus  said,  “  Let  her 
alone.  Why  are  you  annoying  her?  She  has  done  a  beautiful 
thing  to  me.  The  poor  you  have  always  with  you,  and  when¬ 
ever  you  will  you  can  do  them  good,  but  me  you  have  not  al¬ 
ways.  She  has  done  what  she  could.  She  has  anticipated  the 
anointing  of  my  body  for  burial.  I  tell  you  truly  wherever  the 
good  news  shall  be  proclaimed  over  the  whole  world,  what  she 
has  done  will  be  told  in  memory  of  her.” 

Then  Judas  Iscariot,  who  was  one  of  the  twelve,  went  away 
to  the  high  priests  to  betray  him  to  them.  They  were  glad  to 
hear  it  and  promised  to  give  him  money.  He  meanwhile  was 
contriving  how  he  could  betray  him  at  some  favorable  time. 

On  the  first  day  of  unleavened  bread  — •  when  they  sacrificed 
the  Passover  lamb  —  his  disciples  said  to  him,  “Where  do  you 
wish  us  to  go  and  prepare  for  you  to  eat  the  Passover?”  So  he 
sent  two  of  his  disciples,  telling  them,  “Go  into  the  city  and  a 
man  will  meet  you  carrying  a  pitcher  of  water;  follow  him, 
and  wherever  he  goes  in,  say  to  the  householder,  ‘  The  Teacher 
says,  Where  is  the  guest  room  for  me  where  I  can  eat  the  Pass- 
over  with  my  disciples? ,  And  he  will  show  you  a  large  upper 
room,  furnished  and  ready.  There  prepare  for  us.”  The 
disciples  went  and  entered  the  city  and  found  everything  as  he 
had  told  them,  and  they  prepared  the  Passover.  In  the  eve¬ 
ning  Jesus  came  with  the  twelve.  As  they  were  reclining  and 
eating,  he  said,  “I  tell  you  truly  one  of  you  will  betray  me,  one 
who  is  now  eating  with  me.  ”  They  began  to  be  sad  and  to  say 
one  to  another,  “It  cannot  be  I?”  He  said,  “It  is  one  of  the 
twelve,  one  who  is  dipping  with  me  into  the  dish.  The  Son 
of  Man  is  going  just  as  it  has  been  written  concerning  him, 
but  alas  for  that  man  through  whom  the  Son  of  Man  is  be¬ 
trayed!  Well  were  it  for  that  man  if  he  had  not  been  born!” 

While  they  were  eating,  he  took  a  loaf  and  blessed  it  and 
broke  it  and  gave  to  them,  saying,  “  Take  it;  this  is  my  body.  ” 
Then  he  took  a  cup,  and  after  giving  thanks  he  gave  it  to  them, 


86 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


and  they  all  drank  from  it.  He  said  to  them,  “  This  is  my  blood 
of  the  covenant  which  is  shed  for  many.  I  tell  you  truly  I 
will  no  more  drink  of  the  fruit  of  the  vine  until  that  day  when 
I  shall  drink  it  new  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  ” 

After  singing  a  hymn  they  went  out  to  the  Mount  of  Olives. 
Jesus  said  to  them,  “You  will  all  fail,  because  it  has  been 
written,  ‘I  will  smite  the  shepherd  and  the  sheep  will  be 
scattered  abroad.’  But  after  I  am  raised  up  I  will  precede  you 
into  Galilee.”  Peter  said  to  him,  “Though  all  should  fail,  yet 
1  will  not.  ”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “I  tell  you  truly  that  to-day,  this 
very  night,  before  the  cock  crows,  you  will  three  times  disown 
me.”  But  he  kept  saying  more  earnestly,  “Though  I  have  to 
die  with  you,  I  will  not  disown  you.”  Just  so  they  all  said. 

They  came  to  a  place  called  Gethsemane,  and  he  said  to  his 
disciples,  “Sit  here  while  I  pray.”  He  took  Peter  and  James 
and  John  with  him  and  began  to  be  in  terror  and  distress.  He 
said  to  them,  “My  soul  is  in  anguish,  to  the  point  of  death. 
Stay  here  and  watch.”  Then  he  went  forward  a  little  and  fell 
on  the  ground,  and  prayed  that  if  it  were  possible  the  hour 
might  pass  from  him.  He  said,  “Abba,  Father,  all  things  are 
possible  to  thee.  Take  away  this  cup  from  me.  Yet  not  what 
I  will,  but  what  thou  wilt.”  Then  he  came  and  found  them 
sleeping,  and  said  to  Peter,  “Simon,  are  you  asleep?  Could 
you  not  watch  one  hour?  Watch  and  pray  that  you  may  not 
fall  into  temptation.  The  spirit  is  eager,  but  the  flesh  is  weak.  ” 
Then  he  went  away  again  and  prayed,  saying  the  same  words. 
Again  he  returned  and  found  them  sleeping,  for  their  eyes  were 
heavy.  They  did  not  know  what  to  answer  him.  He  came  back 
the  third  time  and  said  to  them,  “Are  you  sleeping  on?  Are 
you  resting?  That  is  enough.  The  hour  has  come.  Now  the 
Son  of  Man  is  betrayed  into  the  hands  of  the  sinners.  Rise, 
let  us  be  going.  See,  my  betrayer  is  at  hand.” 

Immediately,  even  while  he  was  speaking,  Judas,  one  of  the 
twelve,  was  there  and  with  him  a  crowd  with  swords  and 
clubs.  They  had  been  sent  by  the  high  priests  and  the  scribes 
and  the  elders.  The  traitor  had  given  them  a  sign,  “The  man 
I  kiss,  that  is  he.  Seize  him  and  take  him  safely  away.”  So 
when  he  came,  he  immediately  advanced  to  Jesus  and  said, 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


87 


“  Rabbi,”  and  kissed  him  affectionately.  They  laid  their  hands 
on  him  and  held  him.  But  one  of  those  who  stood  near  drew  his 
sword  and  struck  a  servant  of  the  High  Priest,  cutting  off 
his  ear.  Jesus  said  to  them,  “Have  you  come  out  to  arrest  me 
with  swords  and  clubs  as  you  would  a  robber?  Every  day  I  was 
with  you  in  the  Temple  courts  teaching  and  you  did  not  lay 
hands  on  me.  But  this  is  so  that  the  Scriptures  may  be  ful¬ 
filled.”  Then  all  his  friends  left  him  and  fled.  There  was  a 
young  man  following  him  who  had  thrown  a  linen  cloth 
around  his  naked  body.  They  seized  him,  but  he  left  the  linen 
cloth  and  fled  naked. 

They  led  Jesus  away  to  the  High  Priest,  and  all  the  high 
priests  and  elders  and  scribes  assembled.  Peter  followed  him 
at  a  distance  and  came  inside  the  court  of  the  High  Priest  and 
sat  with  the  attendants,  and  warmed  himself  in  the  light  of 
the  fire. 

The  high  priests  and  all  the  council  tried  to  get  testimony 
against  Jesus  in  order  to  put  him  to  death,  but  they  could  not 
find  any.  Many  bore  false  witness  against  him,  but  their  tes¬ 
timony  did  not  agree.  Then  some  rose  and  testified  falsely 
against  him,  “We  heard  him  say,  ‘I  will  destroy  this  Temple 
made  by  hands  and  in  three  days  I  will  build  another  not 
made  by  hands.5”  But  their  testimony  did  not  agree  even 
regarding  this.  Then  the  High  Priest  rose  and  came  forward 
into  the  midst  and  questioned  Jesus,  “Have  you  no  answer? 
What  about  this  evidence  against  you?”  But  he  was  silent 
and  did  not  answer  a  word.  Again  the  High  Priest  questioned 
him,  “Are  you  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Blessed?55  Jesus 
said,  “I  am,  and  you  will  see  the  Son  of  Man  sitting  on  the 
right  hand  of  power  and  coming  with  the  clouds  of  heaven.55 
Then  the  High  Priest  rent  his  garments  and  said,  “Why  do  we 
any  longer  have  need  of  witnesses?  You  have  heard  his  impious 
words.  How  does  it  appear  to  you?55  They  all  condemned  him 
as  deserving  of  death.  Then  some  began  to  spit  on  him  and  to 
blindfold  him  and  to  strike  him  with  their  fists  and  say, 
“Prophesy,55  and  the  attendants  slapped  him  as  they  took 
him  in  charge. 

While  Peter  was  below  in  the  courtyard,  one  of  the  maids  of 


88 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


the  High  Priest  came,  and  when  she  saw  Peter  warming  him¬ 
self  she  looked  at  him  and  said,  “  You  too  were  with  the  Naza- 
rene,  this  Jesus.”  But  he  denied  it  and  said,  “I  do  not  know 
nor  understand  what  you  are  saying.”  Then  he  went  out  into 
the  outer  courtyard.  There  the  maid  saw  him  and  began  again 
to  say  to  those  who  stood  around,  “This  man  is  one  of  them.” 
But  he  again  denied.  Again  after  a  little  the  men  who  were 
standing  by  said  to  Peter,  “Truly  you  are  one  of  them,  for  you 
are  a  Galikean.”  But  he  began  to  curse  and  swear,  “I  do  not 
know  this  man  you  are  speaking  of.”  Immediately,  for  the 
second  time,  the  cock  crew  and  Peter  remembered  what  Jesus 
had  said  to  him,  “Before  the  cock  crows  twice  you  will  dis¬ 
own  me  three  times,”  and  when  he  thought  of  it  he  wept 
aloud. 

XV 

Promptly  at  dawn  the  high  priests,  after  holding  a  consulta¬ 
tion  with  the  elders  and  the  scribes  and  the  whole  council, 
bound  Jesus  and  led  him  away  and  delivered  him  over  to  Pilate. 
Pilate  asked  him,  “Are  you  the  King  of  the  Jews?”  He  an¬ 
swered  him,  “I  am.”  The  high  priests  went  on  making  many 
charges  against  him.  Pilate  again  asked  him,  “Have you  no 
answer?  See  how  many  charges  they  are  making  against  you.” 
But  Jesus  no  longer  answered  anything,  so  that  Pilate  won¬ 
dered. 

It  was  customary  that  at  every  feast  he  should  release  some 
one  prisoner  at  their  request.  There  was  a  man  called  Barab- 
bas  in  chains  among  those  insurrectionaries  who  in  the  insur¬ 
rection  had  committed  murder.  The  crowd  advanced  and 
began  asking  him  to  do  as  he  was  accustomed  to  do  for  them. 
Pilate  answered  them,  “  Do  you  want  me  to  release  for  you  the 
King  of  the  Jews?”  For  he  knew  that  it  was  on  account  of 
envy  that  the  high  priests  had  handed  him  over.  But  the  high 
priests  incited  the  crowd  to  have  him  rather  set  free  Barabbas 
for  them.  Pilate  again  asked,  “What,  then,  shall  I  do  with 
him  whom  you  call  the  King  of  the  Jews?”  They  again 
shouted,  “Crucify  him!”  But  Pilate  said  to  them,  “What  has 
he  done  that  was  wrong?”  But  they  shouted  violently,  “Cru- 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


89 


cify  him!”  Then  Pilate,  wishing  to  satisfy  the  crowd,  set  free 
Barabbas  for  them  and  after  scourging  Jesus  handed  him  over 
to  be  crucified.  The  soldiers  led  him  away  inside  the  court¬ 
yard  of  the  castle  and  called  together  the  whole  battalion. 
Then  they  dressed  him  in  purple  and  put  on  him  a  crown  of 
thorns  which  they  had  twisted  together,  and  they  began  to 
salute  him,  “Hail,  King  of  the  Jews!”  They  kept  striking  him 
on  the  head  with  a  reed  and  spitting  on  him,  and  bending  their 
knees  they  did  homage  to  him.  After  making  sport  of  him,  they 
took  off  the  purple  and  put  his  own  clothes  on  him.  Then 
they  led  him  out  to  crucify  him.  They  impressed  a  man  who 
was  passing  by,  Simon,  a  Cyrenian,  who  was  coming  in  from 
the  country  (the  father  of  Alexander  and  Rufus),  to  carry  his 
cross.  So  they  brought  him  to  the  place  Golgotha,  which 
means  Skull  Place.  They  gave  him  wine  flavored  with  myrrh, 
but  he  did  not  take  it.  Then  they  crucified  him.  They  divided 
his  clothes,  casting  lots  what  part  each  should  take.  It  was 
nine  in  the  morning  when  they  crucified  him.  The  statement 
of  his  crime  was  written  up  over  him : 

THE  KING  OF  THE  JEWS 

With  him  were  crucified  also  two  robbers,  one  on  his  right 
and  one  on  his  left.  The  people  who  passed  by  scoffed  at  him, 
shaking  their  heads  and  saying,  “  Ha,  you  who  can  pull  down 
the  Temple  and  build  it  up  in  three  days,  save  yourself  by  com¬ 
ing  down  from  the  cross.”  In  the  same  way  the  high  priests, 
jesting  with  one  another,  and  the  scribes  said,  “  He  saved  others ; 
himself  he  cannot  save.  Let  the  Christ,  the  King  of  Israel,  come 
down  now  from  the  cross  so  that  we  may  see  and  believe.” 
Even  the  men  who  were  crucified  along  with  him  reviled  him. 
At  noon  darkness  fell  on  all  the  land  and  continued  until 
three  o’clock.  At  three  Jesus  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  “Eloi, 
Eloi,  lama  sabachthani?”  — which  means,  “My  God,  my  God, 
why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?”  Some  of  the  bystanders,  when 
they  heard  this,  said,  “See,  he  is  calling  Elijah.”  One  ran 
and  filled  a  sponge  with  sour  wine  and  put  it  on  a  reed  and 
gave  him  a  drink,  saying,  “Let  him  be.  Let  us  see  whether 
Elijah  comes  to  take  him  down.”  But  Jesus  uttered  a  loud 


90 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


cry  and  ceased  to  breathe.  Then  the  curtain  in  the  Temple 
was  torn  in  two  from  top  to  bottom. 

When  the  Centurion  who  was  standing  facing  him  saw  that 
he  expired  in  this  way,  he  exclaimed,  “  Truly  this  man  was  a 
son  of  God!” 

There  were  also  some  women  looking  on  from  a  distance. 
Among  them  were  Mary  Magdalene  and  Mary  the  mother  of 
James  the  Little  and  Joses,  and  Salome,  who  when  he  was  in 
Galilee  used  to  follow  him  and  wait  on  him,  and  there  were 
many  others  who  had  come  up  with  him  to  Jerusalem. 

It  was  now  late  in  the  afternoon  and,  since  it  was  Prepara¬ 
tion  Day,  that  is  the  day  before  the  Sabbath,  Joseph  of  Arima- 
thsea,  a  councilor  of  high  standing,  who  himself  was  looking 
for  the  kingdom  of  God,  took  courage  to  go  in  to  Pilate  and 
ask  for  the  body  of  Jesus.  Pilate  wondered  whether  he  was 
already  dead,  but  he  called  in  the  Centurion  and  asked  him 
whether  Jesus  had  been  long  dead.  Upon  learning  this  from 
the  Centurion,  he  granted  the  body  to  Joseph.  Joseph  bought 
a  linen  sheet  and  took  him  down  and  swathed  him  in  it  and 
laid  him  in  a  tomb  which  had  been  hewn  out  in  the  rock.  He 
then  rolled  a  stone  against  the  door  of  the  tomb.  Mary  Magda¬ 
lene  and  Mary  the  mother  of  Joses  were  looking  on  to  see  where 
Jesus  was  laid. 


XVI 

When  the  Sabbath  had  passed,  Mary  Magdalene,  and  Mary 
the  mother  of  James,  and  Salome  bought  perfumes  to  go  and 
anoint  him.  Very  early  in  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of  the 
week  they  came  to  the  tomb.  The  sun  had  risen.  They  were 
saying  to  one  another,  “  Who  will  roll  away  the  stone  from  the 
door  of  the  tomb  for  us?”  But  when  they  looked  they  saw  that 
the  stone  had  been  rolled  away.  It  was  very  large.  Entering  the 
tomb,  they  saw  a  young  man  sitting  on  the  right  side  dressed  in 
a  white  robe,  and  they  were  frightened.  But  he  said  to  them, 
“Do  not  be  frightened.  You  are  looking  for  Jesus  the  Naza- 
rene  who  was  crucified.  He  has  risen.  He  is  not  here.  This 
is  the  place  where  they  laid  him.  But  go  tell  his  disciples  and 
Peter,  He  has  gone  before  you  into  Galilee.  There  you  will 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  MARK 


91 


see  him,  as  he  told  you.”  The  women  came  out  and  fled  from 
the  tomb,  for  trembling  and  amazement  seized  them.  They 
told  nothing  to  any  one,  they  were  so  frightened. 

(In  our  oldest  copies  of  the  Greek  New  Testament  the  Book  of  Mark  ends 
here.  In  some  later  copies  Appendix  A  or  Appendix  B  is  added.) 

APPENDIX  A 

After  Jesus  rose  early  on  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  he  appeared  first  to  Mary  Magdalene,  from  whom  he  had 
cast  out  seven  demons.  She  went  and  told  those  who  had  been 
with  him  as  they  were  grieving  and  lamenting.  But  they,  when 
they  heard  that  he  was  alive  and  had  been  seen  by  her,  did  not 
believe  her. 

After  this  he  appeared  in  another  form  to  two  of  them  as 
they  were  walking  into  the  country.  They  went  and  told  the 
rest.  But  neither  did  they  believe  these  men. 

Later  he  appeared  to  the  eleven  as  they  were  reclining  at 
table,  and  reproached  them  for  their  lack  of  faith  and  dullness 
of  mind  because  they  had  not  believed  those  who  had  seen 
him  since  his  resurrection.  He  said  to  them,  “Go  into  all  the 
world  and  proclaim  the  good  news  to  all  the  creation.  He  who 
believes  and  is  baptized  will  be  saved,  but  he  who  does  not 
believe  will  be  condemned.  These  signs  will  follow  those  who 
believe:  in  my  name  they  will  cast  out  demons;  they  will 
speak  strange  languages;  they  will  take  up  serpents;  and  if  they 
drink  anything  deadly  it  will  not  harm  them.  They  will  lay 
hands  on  sick  people  and  the  sick  will  be  well.” 

Then  the  Lord  Jesus,  after  talking  with  them,  was  taken  up 
into  heaven  and  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  God.  They  went 
forth  and  preached  everywhere,  the  Lord  working  with  them 
and  confirming  their  message  by  the  signs  which  accom¬ 
panied  it. 

APPENDIX  B 

But  they  related  briefly  to  Peter  and  his  companions  all  that 
they  had  been  commanded.  After  this,  Jesus  himself  sent  out 
through  them  from  the  east  to  the  west  the  holy  and  imperish¬ 
able  proclamation  of  eternal  salvation. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


i 

Inasmuch  as  many  have  taken  in  hand  to  draw  up  a  narrative 
of  those  facts  which  are  firmly  believed  among  us,  just  as  those 
who  from  the  beginning  were  eye-witnesses  and  who  became 
bearers  of  the  message  handed  them  down  to  us ;  it  has  seemed 
good  to  me  also  —  since  I  have  followed  everything  from  the 
beginning  accurately  —  to  write  a  consecutive  account  for  you, 
most  excellent  Theophilus,  so  that  you  may  know  the  exact 
truth  in  regard  to  the  matters  which  you  have  been  taught  by 
word  of  mouth. 

There  was  in  the  days  of  Herod,  King  of  Judaea,  a  certain 
priest  by  the  name  of  Zacharias,  of  the  course  of  Abijah.  His 
wife  was  of  the  daughters  of  Aaron,  and  her  name  was  Eliza¬ 
beth.  They  were  both  righteous  before  God,  walking  in  all 
the  commandments  and  regulations  of  the  Lord  blameless. 
But  they  had  no  child,  for  Elizabeth  was  barren,  and  they  were 
both  advanced  in  years. 

It  happened  that  as  Zacharias  was  performing  his  priestly 
duties  before  God  in  the  order  of  his  course,  according  to  the 
custom  of  the  priesthood,  it  fell  to  him  to  enter  the  Temple 
of  the  Lord  and  offer  the  incense.  All  the  congregation  of 
people  wras  in  prayer  outside,  at  the  hour  of  incense.  There 
appeared  to  him  an  angel  of  the  Lord,  standing  at  the  right 
side  of  the  altar  of  incense.  Zacharias,  on  seeing  him,  was 
alarmed  and  fear  fell  upon  him.  But  the  angel  said  to  him, 
“Do  not  fear,  Zacharias,  for  your  prayer  has  been  heard; 
and  your  wife  Elizabeth  will  bear  a  son,  and  you  will  call  his 
name  John.  You  will  have  joy  and  gladness  and  many  will 
rejoice  at  his  birth.  For  he  will  be  great  before  the  Lord. 
He  will  not  drink  wine  or  strong  drink.  He  will  be  full  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  even  from  his  birth,  and  many  of  the  sons  of  Israel 
will  he  turn  to  the  Lord  their  God.  He  will  go  before  him  in 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


93 


the  spirit  and  power  of  Elijah,  to  turn  the  hearts  of  fathers  to 
their  children  and  the  disobedient  to  the  wisdom  of  the  right¬ 
eous,  to  make  ready  for  the  Lord  a  people  prepared  for  him.  ” 
Zacharias  said  to  the  angel,  “By  what  proof  shall  I  know  this? 
For  I  am  an  old  man,  and  my  wife  is  advanced  in  years.” 
The  angel  answered,  “I  am  Gabriel,  who  stands  before  the  face 
of  God,  and  I  have  been  sent  to  speak  to  you  and  to  give  you 
this  good  news.  And  now  you  will  be  silent  and  unable  to 
speak  until  the  day  that  this  comes  to  pass,  because  you  have 
not  believed  my  words,  which  will  be  fulfilled  in  their  time.” 

The  people  were  waiting  for  Zacharias  and  wondering  at  his 
staying  so  long  in  the  Temple.  But  when  he  came  out,  he 
could  not  speak  to  them,  and  they  perceived  that  he  had  seen 
a  vision  in  the  Temple.  He  kept  making  signs  to  them  and 
remained  dumb.  When  the  days  of  his  priestly  service  were 
finished,  he  went  away  to  his  home. 

After  these  days  Elizabeth  his  wife  conceived  and  hid 
herself  five  months,  saying,  “So  has  the  Lord  done  for  me  in 
the  days  in  which  he  has  looked  upon  me  to  take  away  my 
reproach  among  men.” 

In  the  sixth  month  the  angel  Gabriel  was  sent  from  God  to 
a  city  of  Galilee  named  Nazareth,  to  a  virgin  betrothed  to  a 
man  named  Joseph,  a  descendant  of  David.  The  name  of  the 
virgin  was  Mary.  The  angel  entered  and  said  to  her,  “Hail, 
favored  one,  the  Lord  is  with  you!”  But  she  was  alarmed 
at  his  words,  and  wondered  what  such  a  greeting  could  mean. 
The  angel  said  to  her,  “  Do  not  fear,  Mary;  for  you  have  found 
favor  with  God.  You  will  conceive  in  your  womb  and  will  bear 
a  son,  and  you  must  call  his  name  Jesus.  He  will  be  great  and 
will  be  called  the  Son  of  the  Highest,  and  the  Lord  God  will 
give  him  the  throne  of  his  father  David.  He  will  be  king 
over  the  house  of  Jacob  through  the  ages,  and  of  his  kingdom 
there  will  be  no  end.”  But  Mary  said  to  the  angel,  “How  can 
this  be,  since  I  am  not  united  to  a  man?”  The  angel  replied, 
“The  Holy  Spirit  will  come  upon  you  and  the  power  of  the 
Highest  will  overshadow  you.  For  that  reason  the  child  that 
is  begotten  will  be  called  holy,  Son  of  God.  And,  indeed, 
Elizabeth  your  relative,  even  she,  has  conceived  a  son,  in  her 


94 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


old  age,  and  this  is  the  sixth  month  with  her  who  was  called 
barren.  For  no  word  that  comes  from  God  will  fail.”  Mary 
said,  “  Here  I  am,  the  Lord’s  handmaid.  Let  it  be  to  me  accord¬ 
ing  to  your  word.”  Then  the  angel  left  her. 

In  those  days  Mary  arose  and  went  with  haste  into  the  hill- 
country  to  a  city  of  Judah,  and  entered  the  house  of  Zacharias 
and  greeted  Elizabeth.  When  Elizabeth  heard  Mary’s  greeting, 
the  babe  leapt  in  her  womb,  and  Elizabeth  was  filled  with  the 
Holy  Spirit  and  spoke  out  with  a  loud  voice  and  said,  “Blessed 
are  you  among  women  and  blessed  is  the  fruit  of  your  womb ! 
But  why  do  I  have  the  honor  of  having  the  mother  of  my 
Lord  come  to  me?  For,  indeed,  when  the  sound  of  your  greet¬ 
ing  fell  upon  my  ears,  the  babe  leapt  for  joy  in  my  womb. 
Blessed  is  she  who  believed,  for  there  will  be  a  complete  ful¬ 
fillment  of  the  things  spoken  to  her  from  the  Lord!”  Then 
Mary  said: 

“My  soul  magnifies  the  Lord, 

And  my  spirit  rejoices  in  God  my  Savior; 

Because  he  has  looked  upon  the  low  estate  of  his  handmaid. 

Indeed,  from  this  time  all  generations  will  call  me  blessed. 

Because  the  Mighty  One  has  done  great  things  for  me. 

Holy  is  his  name. 

His  kindness  is  from  generation  to  generation  upon  those  who 
fear  him. 

He  shows  strength  with  his  arm; 

He  scatters  the  proud  in  the  thoughts  of  their  hearts. 

He  casts  down  princes  from  their  thrones  and  raises  up  the 
lowly. 

The  hungry  he  fills  with  good  things  and  the  affluent  he  sends 
away  empty. 

He  brings  help  to  Israel  his  servant,  mindful  of  kindness, 
just  as  he  promised  our  fathers,  Abraham  and  his  de¬ 
scendants,  forever.” 

Mary  remained  with  her  about  three  months  and  then  re¬ 
turned  to  her  home. 

When  Elizabeth’s  due  time  came,  she  gave  birth  to  a  son. 
Her  neighbors  and  relatives  heard  that  the  Lord  had  shown 
great  kindness  to  her,  and  they  rejoiced  with  her.  On  the 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


95 


eighth  day  they  came  to  circumcise  the  child,  and  they  called 
him  by  the  name  of  his  father  Zacharias.  But  his  mother 
said,  “No,  but  he  shall  be  called  John.”  They  said  to  her, 
“There  is  no  one  of  your  family  who  is  called  by  that  name.” 
Then  they  made  signs  to  his  father  to  know  what  he  wanted 
him  called.  He  asked  for  a  tablet  and  wrote,  “His  name 
is  John.”  They  all  wondered.  At  once  Zacharias’s  mouth  was 
opened  and  his  tongue  loosed  and  he  spoke,  praising  God. 
Awe  fell  on  all  their  neighbors,  and  in  the  whole  hill-country 
of  Judaea  all  these  matters  were  talked  about.  All  who  heard 
them  laid  them  up  in  their  minds,  saying,  “What  then  will  this 
child  be?”  For  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with  him. 

Zacharias,  his  father,  was  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit  and  said 
prophetically: 

“Blessed  be  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Israel! 

For  he  has  looked  upon  his  people,  and  made  deliverance  for 
them. 

He  has  raised  up  a  horn  of  salvation  for  us  in  the  house  of 
David  his  servant, 

As  he  spoke  through  the  mouth  of  his  holy  prophets  of  old, 

Salvation  from  our  enemies  and  from  the  hands  of  all  those 
that  hate  us, 

Dealing  kindly  with  our  forefathers,  mindful  of  his  holy 
covenant, 

The  oath  which  he  swore  to  Abraham  our  father, 

To  grant  that  we,  saved  from  the  hands  of  our  enemies,  may 
serve  him 

Without  fear  in  holiness  and  righteousness  before  him  all  our 
days. 

And  you,  child,  will  be  called  a  prophet  of  the  Most  High. 

You  will  go  before  the  face  of  the  Lord  to  prepare  his  ways, 

To  give  the  knowledge  of  salvation  to  his  people  by  the  for¬ 
giveness  of  their  sins, 

Through  the  tender  compassion  of  our  God, 

With  which  the  sunrise  from  on  high  will  shine  upon  us; 

To  give  light  to  those  who  sit  in  darkness  and  the  shadow  of 
death, 

.  To  guide  our  feet  into  the  path  of  peace.” 


96 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


The  child  grew  and  became  strong  in  spirit,  and  he  lived  in 
the  wilds  until  the  day  of  his  appearance  before  Israel. 

II 

In  those  days  a  decree  went  out  from  Caesar  Augustus  for  the 
registration  of  the  whole  world.  This  first  registration  took 
place  while  Cyrenius  was  Governor  of  Syria.  Everybody 
went  to  be  registered  —  each  to  his  own  city.  Joseph  went  up 
from  Galilee,  from  the  city  of  Nazareth,  to  Judaea,  to  the  city 
of  David,  which  is  called  Bethlehem,  because  he  was  of  the 
house  and  lineage  of  David,  to  be  registered  with  Mary  who 
was  betrothed  to  him,  and  was  with  child.  While  they  were 
there,  her  time  came  and  she  gave  birth  to  her  son,  her  first¬ 
born,  and  she  wrapped  him  up  and  laid  him  in  a  manger,  be¬ 
cause  there  was  no  room  for  them  in  the  inn. 

There  were  shepherds  in  the  same  country  staying  in  the 
fields  and  keeping  watch  over  their  flocks  by  night.  Suddenly 
an  angel  of  the  Lord  stood  by  them,  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  shone  around  them.  They  were  much  afraid,  but  the 
angel  said  to  them,  “Have  no  fear!  Indeed,  I  am  bringing 
you  good  news  of  a  great  joy  which  is  to  be  for  all  the  people; 
for  there  was  born  for  you  to-day  in  the  city  of  David  a 
Savior,  who  is  Christ  and  Lord.  This  will  be  a  sign  for  you: 
you  will  find  the  babe  wrapped  up  and  lying  in  a  manger.” 
And  suddenly  there  was  with  the  angel  a  multitude  from  the 
army  of  heaven,  praising  God,  and  saying,  “Glory  in  highest 
heaven  to  God,  and  peace  on  earth  among  men  in  whom  he 
delights.”  When  the  angels  went  away  into  heaven,  the 
shepherds  spoke  to  one  another:  “  Let  us  go  to  Bethlehem  and 
see  this  that  has  happened,  which  the  Lord  has  made  known  to 
us.  ”  So  they  came  with  haste  and  found  Mary  and  Joseph,  and 
the  babe  lying  in  the  manger.  When  they  saw  it,  they  told 
what  had  been  spoken  to  them  about  this  child.  All  who 
heard  it  wondered  at  what  was  said  to  them  by  the  shepherds. 
Mary  kept  all  these  things,  pondering  them  in  her  heart. 
Then  the  shepherds  went  back  glorifying  and  praising  God 
for  all  that  they  had  heard  and  seen,  just  as  it  had  been  told 
them. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


97 


When  eight  days  had  passed  and  the  time  to  circumcise  him 
had  come,  his  name  was  called  Jesus  —  the  name  given  by  the 
angel  before  he  was  conceived  in  the  womb. 

When  the  days  of  their  purification  were  completed,  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  law  of  Moses,  they  brought  him  up  to  Jerusalem 
to  present  him  to  the  Lord,  as  it  is  written  in  the  Law  of  the 
Lord,  “  Every  firstborn  male  shall  be  called  holy  to  the  Lord,” 
and  to  give  an  offering  according  to  what  is  said  in  the  law  of 
the  Lord,  “a  pair  of  doves  or  two  young  pigeons.” 

There  was  in  Jerusalem  a  man  named  Simeon,  and  this  man 
was  upright  and  God-fearing,  looking  forward  to  the  consola¬ 
tion  of  Israel,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  was  upon  him.  It  had  been 
revealed  to  him  by  the  Holy  Spirit  that  he  was  not  to  see 
death  before  he  saw  the  Lord’s  Christ.  Led  by  the  Spirit  he 
came  into  the  Temple  courts,  and  when  the  parents  brought 
in  the  child  Jesus  in  order  to  do  for  him  according  to  the  cus¬ 
tom  of  the  law,  he  took  him  into  his  arms  and  blessed  God, 
and  said, 

“Now,  O  Lord,  thou  art  letting  thy  servant  depart  in  peace, 
according  to  thy  word.  For  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salva¬ 
tion,  which  thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face  of  all  the 
peoples,  a  light  for  revelation  to  Gentiles  and  a  glory  to  thy 
people  Israel.” 

His  father  and  his  mother  wondered  at  the  things  that  were 
spoken  about  him.  Simeon  blessed  them,  and  said  to  Mary  his 
mother,  “This  child  is  destined  for  the  fall  and  rise  of  many  in 
Israel  and  for  a  sign  much  spoken  against  (yes  a  sword  will 
pierce  your  own  soul)  in  order  that  the  thoughts  of  many  hearts 
may  be  revealed.” 

And  there  was  Anna,  a  prophetess,  a  daughter  of  Phanuel, 
of  the  tribe  of  Asher.  She  was  far  advanced  in  years,  having 
lived  with  her  husband  seven  years  from  her  maidenhood  and 
having  been  a  widow  for  now  eighty-four  years.  She  never  left 
the  Temple  courts,  but  worshiped  by  fastings  and  prayers, 
night  and  day.  She  too  came  up  at  that  time  and  praised  God 
and  spoke  about  him  to  all  who  were  looking  forward  to  the 
redemption  of  Jerusalem. 

When  they  had  completed  all  things  according  to  the  law  of 


98 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


the  Lord,  they  returned  to  Galilee  to  their  own  city  Nazareth. 
The  child  grew  and  became  strong  and  was  filled  with  wisdom, 
and  the  grace  of  God  was  upon  him. 

His  parents  used  to  go  up  every  year  to  Jerusalem  for  the 
feast  of  Passover.  When  he  had  reached  the  age  of  twelve 
years,  and  they  had  gone  up  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
feast  and  had  completed  the  days  and  were  returning,  the  boy 
Jesus  stayed  behind  in  Jerusalem.  But  his  parents  did  not 
know  it.  Thinking  that  he  was  in  the  company,  they  went  a 
day’s  journey.  But  when  they  looked  for  him  among  their 
relatives  and  acquaintances  and  did  not  find  him,  they  returned 
to  Jerusalem  searching  for  him.  On  the  third  day  they  found 
him  in  the  Temple  courts,  sitting  in  the  midst  of  the  teachers, 
listening  to  them  and  asking  them  questions.  All  who  heard  him 
were  astonished  at  his  understanding  and  his  answers.  When  his 
parents  saw  him,  they  were  amazed,  and  his  mother  said  to 
him,  “  Child,  why  have  you  treated  us  so?  See,  your  father 
and  I  have  been  searching  for  you  in  great  distress.”  He  said 
to  them,  “Why  were  you  searching  for  me?  Did  you  not  know 
that  I  must  be  at  my  Father’s?”  They  did  not  understand  the 
words  that  he  spoke.  Then  he  went  down  with  them,  and  came 
to  Nazareth  and  was  obedient  to  them.  His  mother  kept  all 
these  sayings  in  her  heart.  And  Jesus  grew  in  wisdom  and  in 
height  and  in  favor  with  God  and  with  men. 

Ill 

In  the  fifteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  Tiberius  Caesar,  when 
Pontius  Pilate  was  Governor  of  Judaea  and  Herod  Prince  of 
Galilee,  and  Philip  his  brother  Prince  of  Ituraea  and  Trachoni- 
tis,  and  Lysanias  Prince  of  Abilene,  during  the  high-priesthood 
of  Annas  and  Caiaphas,  the  word  of  God  came  to  John  the 
son  of  Zacharias  in  the  wild  lands.  Then  he  came  into  all  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Jordan  proclaiming  baptism  for  a  change 
of  heart  in  order  to  forgiveness  of  sins,  as  it  is  written  in  the 
book  of  the  words  of  Isaiah  the  prophet,  “The  voice  of  one 
shouting  in  the  wilderness,  ‘  Prepare  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make 
his  paths  straight!’  Every  ravine  shall  be  filled  and  every 
mountain  and  hill  shall  be  graded  down,  and  the  crooked  places 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE  99 

shall  become  straight  and  the  rough  roads  shall  become  smooth, 
and  all  men  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God.” 

He  said  to  the  crowds  that  went  out  to  be  baptized  by  him, 
“  Brood  of  vipers,  who  warned  you  to  flee  from  the  coming 
wrath?  Produce  then  fruits  suitable  for  a  change  of  heart, 
and  do  not  begin  to  say  to  yourselves,  ‘We  have  Abraham  for 
our  father/  For  I  tell  you,  God  is  able  out  of  these  stones  to 
raise  up  children  for  Abraham.  Already  the  axe  is  lying  at  the 
root  of  the  trees.  Every  tree  that  does  not  yield  good  fruit  is  to 
to  be  cut  down  and  thrown  into  the  fire.”  The  crowds  asked 
him,  “What  then  shall  we  do?”  He  answered,  “Let  him  who 
has  two  tunics  give  to  him  who  has  none,  and  let  him  who  has 
food  do  likewise.”  Some  tax  collectors  came  to  be  baptized 
and  said  to  him,  “Teacher,  what  shall  we  do?”  He  said  to 
them,  “  Do  nothing  beyond  what  you  are  authorized.  ”  Soldiers 
asked  him,  “And  what  shall  we  do?”  He  said  to  them,  “Do 
violence  to  no  man;  bring  no  false  accusations;  be  content  with 
your  rations.” 

As  the  people  were  in  expectation  and  all  were  debating  in 
their  minds  about  John,  whether  he  was  the  Christ,  John  said 
to  them  all,  “I  am  baptizing  you  with  water,  but  there  is  com¬ 
ing  the  One  mightier  than  I,  the  straps  of  whose  sandals  I  am 
not  worthy  to  unfasten.  He  will  baptize  you  with  the  Holy 
Spirit  and  with  fire.  He  has  his  fan  in  his  hand  to  cleanse  his 
threshing  floor  and  gather  the  wheat  into  his  granary.  But  the 
chaff  he  will  burn  up  with  fire  unquenchable.” 

With  many  different  exhortations  John  proclaimed  the  good 
news  to  the  people.  But  Herod,  the  prince,  because  John  re¬ 
proved  him  regarding  Herodias,  his  brother’s  wife,  and  re¬ 
garding  all  the  wicked  things  which  Herod  had  done,  added 
also  this  wickedness  to  all  the  rest  — •  he  shut  up  John  in 
prison. 

When  all  the  people  were  being  baptized,  and  when  Jesus  had 
been  baptized  and  was  praying,  heaven  was  opened,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit  in  bodily  form  like  a  dove  descended  upon  him,  and 
a  voice  came  from  heaven,  “Thou  art  my  Son,  the  Beloved. 
In  thee  I  delight.” 

Jesus,  when  he  began,  was  about  thirty  years  old,  being  the 


100 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


son  (as  was  thought)  of  Joseph,  the  son  of  Heli,  the  son  of 
Matthat,  the  son  of  Levi,  the  son  of  Melchi,  the  son  of  Jannai, 
the  son  of  Joseph,  the  son  of  Mattathias,  the  son  of  Amos,  the 
son  of  Nahum,  the  son  of  Esli,  the  son  of  Naggai,  the  son  of 
Maath,  the  son  of  Mattathias,  the  son  of  Semein,  the  son  of 
Josech,  the  son  of  Joda,  the  son  of  Joanan,  the  son  of  Rhesa, 
the  son  of  Zerubbabel,  the  son  of  Shealtiel,  the  son  of  Neri,  the 
son  of  Melchi,  the  son  of  Addi,  the  son  of  Cosam,  the  son  of 
Elmadam,  the  son  of  Er,  the  son  of  Jesus,  the  son  of  Eliezer, 
the  son  of  Jorim,  the  son  of  Matthat,  the  son  of  Levi,  the  son 
of  Symeon,  the  son  of  Judas,  the  son  of  Joseph,  the  son  of 
Jonam,  the  son  of  Eliakim,  the  son  of  Melea,  the  son  of  Menna, 
the  son  of  Mattatha,  the  son  of  Nathan,  the  son  of  David,  the 
son  of  Jesse,  the  son  of  Obed,  the  son  of  Boaz,  the  son  of  Salmon, 
the  son  of  Nahshon,  the  son  of  Amminadab,  the  son  of  Arni, 
the  son  of  Hezron,  the  son  of  Perez,  the  son  of  Judah,  the  son 
of  Jacob,  the  son  of  Isaac,  the  son  of  Abraham,  the  son  of 
Terah,  the  son  of  Nahor,  the  son  of  Serug,  the  son  of  Reu,  the 
son  of  Peleg,  the  son  of  Eber,  the  son  of  Shelah,  the  son  of 
Cainan,  the  son  of  Arphaxad,  the  son  of  Shem,  the  son  of  Noah, 
the  son  of  Lamech,  the  son  of  Methuselah,  the  son  of  Enoch, 
the  son  of  Jared,  the  son  of  Mahalaleel,  the  son  of  Cainan,  the 
son  of  Enos,  the  son  of  Seth,  the  son  of  Adam,  the  son  of  God. 

IV 

Jesus,  full  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  turned  back  from  the  Jordan  and 
was  led  about  in  the  Spirit  in  the  wilderness  forty  days  while 
being  tempted  by  the  Devil.  During  those  days  he  ate  nothing, 
and  when  they  were  ended  he  was  hungry.  The  Devil  said  to 
him,  “If  you  are  God’s  Son,  tell  this  stone  to  become  a  loaf  of 
bread.”  Jesus  answered  him,  “It  is  written,  ‘Man  shall  not 
live  on  bread  alone.’”  The  Devil  led  him  up  and  showed  him 
all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  in  a  moment  of  time,  and  said  to 
him,  “To  you  I  will  give  all  this  power  and  glory,  for  it  has  been 
handed  over  to  me  and  I  give  it  to  whomever  I  will.  If  you  do 
homage  before  me,  all  shall  be  yours.”  Jesus  answered  him, 
“It  is  written,  ‘Thou  shalt  do  homage  to  the  Lord  thy  God 
and  him  alone  shalt  thou  worship.’”  The  Devil  torok  him  to 


101 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 

Jerusalem  and  placed  him  on  the  roof  of  the  Temple,  and  said 
to  him,  “If  you  are  God’s  Son,  throw  yourself  down,  for  it  is 
written,  ‘  He  will  command  his  angels  to  guard  you,  ’  and,  ‘  On 
their  hands  they  will  bear  you  up,  so  that  you  shall  not  strike 
your  foot  against  a  stone.  ’  ”  Jesus  answered  him,  “It  has  been 
said,  ‘  Thou  shalt  not  try  the  Lord  thy  God.  ’  ”  After  exhausting 
every  kind  of  temptation,  the  Devil  went  away  from  him  till 
a  better  opportunity. 

Jesus  returned  in  the  power  of  the  Spirit  to  Galilee,  and  re¬ 
ports  about  him  went  out  through  all  the  region.  He  taught  in 
their  synagogues  and  was  praised  by  all.  He  came  to  Nazareth 
where  he  had  been  brought  up,  and,  according  to  his  custom, 
went  into  the  synagogue  on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  stood  up  to 
read.  The  book  of  the  prophet  Isaiah  was  handed  to  him.  He 
opened  the  book  and  found  the  place  where  it  is  written,  “The 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  me,  because  he  has  anointed  me  to 
bring  good  news  to  the  poor.  He  has  sent  me  to  proclaim  release 
to  captives  and  sight  to  the  blind,  to  set  at  liberty  the  crushed, 
to  proclaim  the  favored  year  of  the  Lord.”  Then  he  rolled  up 
the  book  and  handed  it  over  to  the  attendant  and  sat  down. 
The  eyes  of  all  in  the  synagogue  were  fixed  upon  him.  He  be¬ 
gan  and  said  to  them,  “To-day  this  Scripture  is  fulfilled  in 
your  ears.”  All  bore  witness  to  him,  and  wondered  at  the  gra¬ 
cious  words  that  came  from  his  mouth,  and  said,  “Is  not  he  a 
son  of  Joseph? ”  He  said  to  them,  “Of  course,  you  will  quote  to 
me  the  saying,  ‘ Physician,  heal  yourself.’  ‘Whatever  we  have 
heard  of  as  done  in  Capernaum,  do  here  in  your  native  place.  ’  ” 
He  continued:  “I  tell  you  truly  no  prophet  is  acceptable  in  his 
native  place.  In  truth  I  tell  you,  many  widows  were  in  Israel 
in  the  days  of  Elijah  the  prophet,  when  heaven  was  shut  up 
three  years  and  six  months  so  that  a  great  famine  came  on  all 
the  land,  yet  to  no  widow  was  Elijah  sent  except  to  one  in 
Zarephath,  in  Sidonia.  And  many  lepers  were  in  Israel  in  the 
time  of  Elisha  the  prophet,  and  no  leper  was  cleansed  except 
Naaman  the  Syrian.” 

Upon  hearing  these  words,  all  in  the  synagogue  were  filled 
with  rage,  and  they  rose  up  and  expelled  him  from  the  city, 
and  led  him  to  the  brow  of  the  hill  on  which  their  city  was 


102 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


built,  intending  to  throw  him  down.  But  he  passed  through 
the  midst  of  them  and  went  away. 

He  went  down  to  Capernaum,  a  city  of  Galilee.  There  he 
was  teaching  them  on  the  Sabbath,  and  they  were  amazed  at 
his  teaching,  because  he  spoke  with  authority.  In  the  syna¬ 
gogue  there  was  a  man  with  the  spirit  of  an  impure  demon,  and 
he  shouted  with  a  loud  voice,  “Ha,  what  have  you  to  do  with 
us,  Nazarene  Jesus?  Have  you  come  to  destroy  us?  I  know 
who  you  are  —  The  Holy  One  of  God.”  Jesus  rebuked  him, 
saying,  “Be  silent,  and  come  out  of  him.”  The  demon  flung 
him  prostrate  in  the  midst,  but  came  out  of  him  without  in¬ 
juring  him  at  all.  Astonishment  fell  upon  all,  and  they  talked 
to  one  another,  saying,  “What  is  this  word?  With  authority 
and  power  he  commands  the  impure  spirits  and  they  come 
out!”  Reports  about  him  spread  into  every  part  of  that 
region. 

Jesus  arose  and  left  the  synagogue  and  entered  the  house  of 
Simon.  Simon’s  wife’s  mother  was  suffering  from  a  severe  fever, 
and  they  asked  him  to  help  her.  He  came  and  stood  over  her 
and  rebuked  the  fever  and  it  left  her.  At  once  she  rose  up  and 
waited  upon  them. 

As  the  sun  was  setting,  all  who  had  people  sick  with  various 
diseases  brought  them  to  him,  and  he  put  his  hands  on  each  of 
them  and  healed  them.  Demons  came  out  of  many,  shouting, 
“You  are  the  Son  of  God!”  But  he  rebuked  them  and  did 
not  permit  them  to  speak,  for  they  knew  that  he  was  the 
Christ. 

When  morning  came,  he  went  out  and  departed  to  a  solitary 
place.  The  crowds  were  looking  for  him  and  came  to  where  he 
was  and  tried  to  hinder  his  going  away  from  them.  But  he 
said  to  them,  “I  must  tell  the  good  news  about  the  kingdom  of 
God  in  the  other  cities  also,  because  for  this  I  have  been  sent.” 
So  he  continued  teaching  in  the  synagogues  of  Galilee. 

V 

It  happened  that,  as  the  crowd  was  pressing  upon  him  and 
listening  to  the  word  of  God,  he  was  standing  on  the  shore  of 
Lake  Gennesaret,  and  he  saw  two  boats  by  the  shore.  The 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


103 


fishermen  had  gone  away  from  them  and  were  washing  their 
nets.  He  got  into  one  of  the  boats,  which  belonged  to  Simon, 
and  asked  him  to  push  off  a  little  from  the  land.  Then,  sitting 
down,  he  taught  the  people  from  the  boat.  When  he  ceased 
speaking,  he  said  to  Simon,  “Push  out  into  deep  water  and  let 
down  your  nets  for  a  catch.”  Simon  answered,  “Master,  we 
have  worked  all  night  and  caught  nothing.  But  at  your  word  1 
will  let  down  the  nets.”  When  they  had  done  this,  they  en¬ 
closed  a  great  mass  of  fishes  and  their  nets  began  to  break. 
They  beckoned  to  their  partners  in  the  other  boat  to  come  and 
take  hold  with  them.  They  came,  and  both  the  boats  were 
filled  so  that  they  began  to  sink.  When  Simon  Peter  saw 
this,  he  fell  down  on  his  knees  before  Jesus  and  said,  “  Leave  my 
boat  and  me,  Sir,  for  1  am  a  sinful  man.”  For  amazement 
seized  him  and  all  those  who  were  with  him  at  the  catch  of 
fishes  they  had  taken.  It  was  just  the  same  with  James  and 
John,  the  sons  of  Zebedee,  who  were  partners  with  Simon. 
But  Jesus  said  to  Simon,  “Never  fear;  from  now  on  you  will  be 
catching  men.”  Then  they  brought  their  boats  to  land  and 
left  all  and  followed  him. 

It  happened  that,  when  he  was  in  one  of  the  cities,  there  was 
a  man  present  full  of  leprosy.  When  he  saw  Jesus,  he  fell  on 
his  face  and  begged  him,  “Sir,  if  you  will,  you  can  cleanse  me.” 
Jesus  stretched  out  his  hand  and  touched  him,  and  said,  “  I  will 
it;  be  cleansed.”  Immediately  the  leprosy  left  him.  Jesus 
commanded  him  to  tell  no  one.  ‘  But  go,”  he  said,  “and  show 
yourself  to  the  priest  and  make  an  offering  for  your  cleansing 
as  Moses  commanded,  for  evidence  to  them.”  But  all  the  more 
the  reports  about  him  spread,  and  great  crowds  came  together 
to  hear  and  to  be  healed  of  their  infirmities.  But  he  stayed  out 
in  the  wild  country  and  prayed. 

It  happened  on  one  of  those  days  that  he  was  teaching, 
and  there  were  Pharisees  and  teachers  of  the  law  sitting  who 
had  come  from  every  village  of  Galilee  and  Judaea  and  from 
Jerusalem.  The  power  of  the  Lord  wras  with  him  to  heal. 
Then  came  some  men  bearing  on  a  bed  a  man  who  was  para¬ 
lytic,  and  they  tried  to  bring  him  in  and  lay  him  before  Jesus. 
When  they  could  not  contrive  to  bring  him  in  on  account  of  the 


104 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


crowd,  they  went  up  on  the  roof  and  let  him  down  through  the 
tiles  with  his  pallet  into  the  midst  in  front  of  Jesus.  He  saw 
their  faith  and  said,  “Man,  your  sins  are  forgiven  you.”  The 
scribes  and  Pharisees  began  to  argue,  saying,  “Who  is  this 
man  who  speaks  profane  words?  Who  can  forgive  sins  but 
God  alone?”  But  Jesus  perceived  their  arguing  and  asked 
them,  “What  are  you  arguing  in  your  hearts?  Which  is  easier, 
to  say,  ‘Your  sins  are  forgiven/  or  to  say,  ‘Rise  and  walk’? 
But  that  you  may  know  that  the  Son  of  Man  has  power  on  the 
earth  to  forgive  sins ”  —  he  said  to  the  paralytic  —  “I  tell  you, 
Rise  and  take  up  your  pallet  and  go  to  your  house.”  Immedi¬ 
ately  he  stood  up  before  them  and  took  up  what  he  had  been 
lying  on  and  went  away  to  his  house,  glorifying  God.  Amaze¬ 
ment  seized  them  all  and  they  gave  glory  to  God,  yet  they  were 
also  filled  with  awe,  and  said,  “We  have  seen  astonishing 
things  to-day!” 

After  this  he  went  out  and  saw  a  tax  collector  by  the  name 
of  Levi  sitting  at  the  tax  office,  and  he  said  to  him,  “Follow 
me.”  Leaving  everything,  he  arose  and  followed  him.  Levi 
held  a  great  reception  for  him  at  his  house,  and  there  was  a 
large  crowd  of  tax  collectors  and  others  reclining  at  table  with 
them.  The  Pharisees  and  their  scribes  grumbled  to  his  dis¬ 
ciples,  and  said,  “  Why  do  you  eat  and  drink  with  tax  collectors 
and  sinners?”  Jesus  answered  them,  “The  well  have  no  need 
of  a  physician,  but  those  who  are  sick  have.  I  have  not  come  to 
call  righteous  men,  but  sinners  to  a  change  of  heart.” 

They  said  to  him,  “The  disciples  of  John  fast  often  and  offer 
prayers,  and  so  do  those  of  the  Pharisees,  but  your  followers  eat 
and  drink.”  Jesus  said  to  them,  “Can  you  make  the  wedding 
guests  fast  while  the  bridegroom  is  with  them?  But  days  will 
come  when  the  bridegroom  will  be  taken  from  them,  and  then 
they  will  fast  —  in  those  days.”  He  gave  them  also  some  illustra¬ 
tions.  “No  one  tears  a  piece  from  a  new  cloak  and  sews  it  on 
an  old  cloak.  If  he  did,  he  would  make  a  tear  in  his  new  cloak, 
and  even  in  the  old  cloak  the  patch  taken  from  the  new  would 
not  match.  And  no  one  puts  new  wine  into  old  wine-skins.  If 
he  did,  the  new  wine  would  burst  the  skins  and  it  would  be 
spilled,  and  the  skins  would  be  ruined.  But  new  wine  must  be 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE  105 

put  into  new  wine-skins.  And  no  one  after  drinking  old  wine 
wishes  to  drink  new,  for  he  says,  ‘The  old  is  fine.’  ” 

VI 

It  happened  that  he  was  passing  one  Sabbath  through  some 
grainfields,  and  his  disciples  were  plucking  and  eating  the  heads 
of  grain,  rubbing  them  in  their  hands.  But  some  of  the  Phari¬ 
sees  said,  “Why  are  you  doing  what  is  unlawful  on  the  Sab¬ 
bath?’7  Jesus  answered  them,  “Have  you  never  read  what 
David  did  when  he  was  hungry,  he  and  the  men  with  him  — 
how  he  went  into  the  house  of  God  and  took  the  consecrated 
loaves  and  ate  them  and  gave  them  to  his  men,  loaves  that  it 
is  unlawful  for  any  but  the  priests  alone  to  eat?  77  He  said 
further  to  them,  “The  Son  of  Man  is  Lord  of  the  Sabbath.77 

It  happened  on  another  Sabbath  that  he  went  into  the  syna¬ 
gogue  and  was  teaching.  There  was  a  man  there  whose  right 
hand  was  withered.  The  scribes  and  Pharisees  watched  to 
see  whether  he  would  heal  him  on  the  Sabbath,  wishing  to 
find  something  to  accuse  him  of.  But  he  knew  their  thoughts 
and  said  to  the  man  with  the  withered  hand,  “Rise,  and  stand 
in  the  center.77  He  rose  and  stood.  Jesus  said  to  them,  “I  ask 
you,  is  it  lawful  on  the  Sabbath  to  do  good  or  to  do  evil,  to 
save  life  or  to  destroy  it?77  He  looked  around  at  all  of  them, 
then  said  to  the  man,  “Stretch  out  your  hand.77  He  did  so  and 
his  hand  was  restored.  But  they  were  filled  with  blind  fury, 
and  discussed  with  one  another  what  they  could  do  to  Jesus. 

It  happened  during  those  days  that  he  went  out  to  the  moun¬ 
tain  and  prayed  and  was  all  night  in  prayer  to  God.  When  day 
‘  came,  he  called  to  him  his  disciples  and  chose  from  them 
twelve,  whom  also  he  named  “Apostles77:  Simon,  whom  he 
named  Peter  (Rock),  and  Andrew  his  brother,  and  James  and 
John,  and  Philip  and  Bartholomew,  and  Matthew  and  Thomas, 
and  James  the  son  of  Alphaeus,  and  Simon  called  the  Zealot, 
and  Judas  the  son  of  James,  and  Judas  Iscariot,  who  became 
a  traitor.  He  went  down  with  them  and  stood  on  a  level  spot 
where  were  gathered  a  great  crowd  of  his  disciples  and  a  great 
multitude  of  people  from  all  Judaea  and  Jerusalem  and  the  sea- 
coast  of  Tyre  and  Sidon,  who  had  come  to  hear  him  and  to  be 


106 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


cured  of  their  diseases.  Those  who  were  troubled  by  impure 
spirits  were  healed.  The  whole  crowd  tried  to  touch  him,  be¬ 
cause  power  went  out  from  him  and  healed  all.  He  raised  his 
eyes  to  his  disciples  and  said: 

“Blessed  are  you  poor!  For  yours  is  the  kingdom  of  God. 

“Blessed  are  you  who  are  hungry  now!  For  you  will  be 
abundantly  fed. 

“Blessed  are  you  who  are  weeping  now!  For  you  will  laugh 

“Blessed  are  you  when  men  hate  you  and  when  they  shut 
you  out  and  reproach  you  and  cast  out  your  name  as  evil 
because  of  the  Son  of  Man!  Rejoice  on  that  day  and  leap  for 
joy.  For,  indeed,  your  reward  will  be  great  in  heaven.  Just  so 
their  fathers  treated  the  prophets. 

“But  alas  for  you  rich  men!  For  you  have  now  your  com¬ 
fort  in  full. 

“Alas  for  you  who  are  filled  now!  For  you  will  hunger. 

“Alas  for  you  who  are  laughing  now!  For  you  will  mourn 
and  wail. 

“Alas  for  you,  when  all  men  speak  well  of  you!  Just  so  their 
fathers  treated  the  false  prophets.  But  I  tell  you,  my  hearers, 
love  your  enemies;  act  nobly  to  those  who  hate  you;  bless  those 
who  curse  you;  pray  for  those  who  insult  you.  To  him  who 
strikes  you  on  one  cheek,  offer  also  the  other.  To  him  who 
takes  your  cloak,  do  not  refuse  your  tunic.  To  every  one  who 
asks,  give,  and  from  him  who  takes  your  things,  do  not  ask 
them  back.  Do  to  men  just  as  you  wish  them  to  do  to  you. 
If  you  love  those  who  love  you,  what  grace  have  you?  For 
sinners  also  love  those  who  love  them.  If  you  do  good  to  those 
who  do  good  to  you,  what  grace  have  you?  Sinners  also  do 
the  same.  If  you  lend  to  those  from  whom  you  hope  to  receive, 
what  grace  have  you?  Sinners  also  lend  to  sinners  in  order  to 
get  back  as  much.  But  love  your  enemies  and  do  good  and  lend 
without  hope  of  return,  and  your  reward  will  be  great  and  you 
will  be  sons  of  the  Most  High.  For  he  is  generous  to  the  un¬ 
grateful  and  wicked.  Become  compassionate  as  your  Father  is 
compassionate.  Do  not  judge  and  you  will  not  be  judged.  Do 
not  condemn  and  you  will  not  be  condemned.  Forgive  and  you 
will  be  forgiven.  Give  and  it  will  be  given  to  you.  Good 


107 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 

measure,  pressed  in,  shaken  down,  and  running  over  they  will 
pour  into  your  lap.  For  with  the  measure  that  you  measure 
with  will  the  return  to  you  be  measured.” 

He  gave  them  an  illustration:  “The  blind  cannot  lead  the 
blind,  can  he?  Will  not  both  fall  into  the  ditch?  A  scholar  is 
not  superior  to  his  teacher.  Every  scholar  when  finished  will 
be  like  his  teacher.  Why  do  you  look  at  the  speck  in  your 
brother’s  eye  while  you  do  not  perceive  the  beam  in  your  own 
eye?  How  can  you  say  to  your  brother,  4  Brother,  let  me  get 
out  the  speck  that  is  in  your  eye/  while  you  yourself  never 
notice  the  beam  in  your  own  eye?  Hypocrite,  take  out  first  the 
beam  from  your  own  eye,  and  then  you  will  see  clearly  to  get 
out  the  speck  in  your  brother’s  eye. 

“There  is  no  good  tree  that  yields  worthless  fruit,  nor  is 
there  a  worthless  tree  that  yields  fine  fruit.  Every  tree  will 
be  known  by  its  own  fruit.  They  do  not  gather  figs  from 
thorns,  nor  from  a  bramble-bush  do  they  harvest  grapes.  A 
good  man  from  the  good  treasury  of  his  heart  brings  forth  what 
is  good,  and  the  evil  man  from  his  evil  treasury  brings  forth 
what  is  evil.  Out  of  the  overflow  of  the  heart  the  mouth 
speaks. 

“Why  do  you  call  me : 1  Master,  Master,’  and  yet  not  do  what 
I  say?  Every  one  who  comes  to  me  and  hears  my  words  and 
does  them,  I  will  show  you  whom  he  is  like.  He  is  like  a  man 
building  a  house,  who  dug  and  went  deep  and  laid  a  foundation 
on  the  rock.  When  a  flood  came,  the  river  dashed  against  that 
house,  and  could  not  shake  it,  because  it  had  been  well  built. 
But  he  who  hears  and  does  not  do  is  like  a  man  building  a  house 
on  the  earth  without  foundation,  against  which  the  river  dashed, 
and  at  once  it  fell,  and  the  wreck  of  that  house  was  great.” 

VII 

When  he  had  finished  all  his  discourses  in  the  hearing  of  the 
people,  he  went  into  Capernaum.  The  servant  of  a  certain 
Centurion  was  sick  and  about  to  die.  He  was  highly  valued  by 
his  master,  who  hearing  about  Jesus  sent  to  him  some  elders 
of  the  Jews,  asking  him  to  come  and  save  his  servant.  When 
they  came  to  Jesus  they  begged  him  earnestly,  saying,  “He 


108 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


deserves  to  have  this  done,  for  he  loves  our  nation  and  he  built 
us  our  synagogue. ”  Jesus  went  with  them.  When  he  was 
not  far  from  the  house,  the  Centurion  sent  friends  to  say  to 
him,  “Do  not  trouble  yourself,  Sir,  for  I  am  not  fit  to  have  you 
come  under  my  roof.  On  that  account  I  did  not  think  myself 
worthy  to  come  to  you.  But  say  the  word  and  have  my 
servant  cured.  For  I  am  a  man  —  under  authority  — •  with 
soldiers  under  me,  and  I  say  to  this  one,  ‘Go/  and  he  goes, 
and  to  that  one,  ‘Come/  and  he  comes,  and  to  my  slave,  ‘Do 
this/  and  he  does  it.”  When  Jesus  heard  this,  he  wondered, 
and,  turning  to  the  crowd  that  was  following  him,  he  said,  “I 
tell  you,  in  Israel  I  have  not  found  such  faith.”  Those  who 
had  been  sent  returned  to  the  house  and  found  the  servant  well. 

It  happened  soon  afterwards  that  he  went  to  a  city  called 
Nain,  and  his  disciples  and  a  great  crowd  were  going  along  with 
him.  As  he  approached  the  gate  of  the  city,  they  were  carrying 
out  a  dead  man,  the  only  son  of  his  mother,  and  she  was  a 
widow.  A  great  crowd  from  the  city  was  with  her.  When  the 
Master  saw  her,  he  had  compassion  on  her  and  said  to  her, 
“Do  not  weep,”  and  he  went  up  and  touched  the  bier.  The 
bearers  stopped.  He  said,  “Young  man,  I  say,  arise!”  The 
dead  man  sat  up  and  began  to  speak,  and  he  gave  him  to  his 
mother.  All  were  awe-struck,  and  they  gave  praise  to  God, 
saying,  “A  great  prophet  has  arisen  among  us  and  God  has 
visited  his  people.”  The  reports  about  him  spread  through 
all  Judaea  and  all  the  region  of  the  Jordan. 

John’s  disciples  told  him  about  all  these  things.  So  he  called 
to  him  two  of  his  disciples  and  sent  them  to  the  Master  to  ask, 
“Are  you  ‘the  Coming  One’  or  are  we  to  expect  some  other 
person?”  When  they  came  to  him,  the  men  said,  “John  the 
Baptist  sent  us  to  you  to  ask,  Are  you  ‘ the  Coming  One’  or  are 
we  to  expect  some  other  person?”  At  that  very  time  he  was 
curing  many  of  diseases  and  pains  and  wicked  spirits,  and  to 
many  blind  people  he  was  giving  sight.  He  answered  them, 
“Go  and  relate  to  John  what  you  have  seen  and  heard.  Blind 
men  see,  lame  men  walk,  lepers  are  cleansed,  deaf  men  hear, 
dead  men  are  raised,  poor  men  hear  good  news.  Blessed  is  he 
who  does  not  stumble  through  misunderstanding  me!” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


109 


After  John’s  messengers  had  left,  Jesus  began  to  speak  to 
the  crowds  about  John:  “What  did  you  go  out  into  the  wild 
country  to  look  at?  A  reed  shaken  by  the  wind?  But  what  did 
you  go  out  to  see?  A  man  dressed  in  soft  clothes?  Indeed,  the 
people  in  splendid  clothing  and  living  in  luxury  are  in  kings’ 
palaces.  But  what  did  you  go  out  to  see?  A  prophet?  Yes, 
I  tell  you,  and  more  than  a  prophet.  For  this  is  he  about  whom 
it  was  written,  ‘  Behold,  I  send  my  messenger  before  your  face, 
who  will  make  ready  your  way  before  you.  ’  I  tell  you  there  is 
not  among  those  born  of  women  a  greater  than  John.  But  an 
inferior  in  the  kingdom  of  God  is  greater  than  he.”  (All  the 
people,  even  the  tax  collectors  when  they  heard  him,  had 
confessed  that  God  was  right  by  being  baptized  with  the  bap¬ 
tism  of  John.  But  the  Pharisees  and  the  lawyers  had  thwarted 
the  purpose  of  God  in  reference  to  themselves  by  not  being 
baptized  by  him.)  “To  what  then  shall  I  compare  the  men  of 
this  generation?  What  are  they  like?  They  are  like  children  sit¬ 
ting  in  the  market-place  and  calling  to  one  another,  ‘  We  played 
the  flute  for  you  but  you  did  not  dance.  We  mourned  but  you 
did  not  wail!’  For  John  the  Baptist  has  come,  not  eating 
bread  nor  drinking  wine,  and  you  say,  ‘He  has  a  demon.’ 
The  Son  of  Man  has  come  eating  and  drinking,  and  you  say, 

‘  See  there  a  man  who  is  a  glutton  and  wine-drinker,  a  friend  of 
tax  collectors  and  sinners!’  Yet  Wisdom  is  shown  to  be  in  the 
right  by  all  her  children.” 

One  of  the  Pharisees  kept  asking  him  to  dine  with  him.  En¬ 
tering  the  house  of  this  Pharisee,  he  reclined  at  the  table.  Now 
there  was  a  certain  woman  in  the  city,  a  sinner,  and  when  she 
learned  that  he  was  at  table  in  the  Pharisee’s  house,  she  brought 
an  alabaster  jar  of  ointment  and  took  her  place  behind,  beside 
his  feet,  weeping.  Her  tears  began  to  rain  down  on  his  feet, 
and  with  the  hair  of  her  head  she  wiped  them  off,  and  she  pas¬ 
sionately  kissed  his  feet  and  anointed  them  with  the  ointment. 
When  the  Pharisee  who  had  invited  him  saw  this,  he  said 
within  himself,  “This  man,  if  he  were  a  prophet,  would  have 
known  who  and  what  this  woman  who  is  touching  him  is,  for 
she  is  a  sinner.”  Jesus,  answering  his  thought,  said  to  him, 
“Simon,  I  have  something  to  say  to  you.”  “Teacher,”  he 


110 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


said,  “say  it.”  “A  certain  money-lender  had  two  debtors;  one 
owed  him  five  hundred  shillings;  the  other  fifty.  Because  they 
had  nothing  to  pay  with,  he  graciously  forgave  both.  Which  of 
them  will  love  him  most?  ”  Simon  answered,  “  I  suppose  the  one 
to  whom  he  forgave  most.”  He  said  to  him,  “You  have  an¬ 
swered  correctly.”  Then,  turning  to  the  woman,  he  said  to 
Simon,  “Do  you  see  this  woman?  I  entered  your  house;  you 
gave  me  no  water  for  my  feet.  But  she  has  rained  tears  upon 
my  feet  and  has  wiped  them  with  her  hair.  You  gave  me  no 
kiss,  but  she,  since  I  came  in,  has  not  ceased  passionately  kiss¬ 
ing  my  feet.  My  head  with  oil  you  did  not  anoint,  but  she  has 
anointed  my  feet  with  ointment.  For  this  reason  I  tell  you  her 
sins,  many  as  they  are,  have  been  forgiven,  for  she  loved  much. 
For  he  to  whom  little  is  forgiven  loves  little.”  He  said  to  her, 
“Your  sins  have  been  forgiven.”  The  other  guests  began  to  say 
to  themselves,  “Who  is  this  that  even  forgives  sins?”  He  said 
to  the  woman,  “Your  faith  has  saved  you.  Go  in  peace.” 

VIII 

Shortly  afterwards  he  was  making  his  way  through  cities  and 
villages  preaching  and  telling  the  good  news  of  the  kingdom  of 
God.  The  twelve  were  with  him,  and  certain  women  who  had 
been  relieved  of  evil  spirits  and  infirmities  —  Mary,  who  was 
called  Magdalene,  out  of  whom  seven  demons  had  gone,  and 
Joanna,  the  wife  of  Chuzas,  Herod’s  manager,  and  Susanna, 
and  many  others.  These  women  provided  for  Jesus  and  his 
apostles  out  of  their  means.  When  a  great  multitude  was  com¬ 
ing  together  and  some  from  every  city  were  crowding  upon 
him,  he  spoke  to  them  with  an  illustration:  “A  sower  went  out 
to  sow  his  seed.  As  he  sowed,  some  seed  fell  along  the  roadside 
and  was  trodden  on,  and  the  birds  of  heaven  ate  it  up.  Other 
seed  fell  on  the  rock,  and  when  it  sprang  up  it  withered  away 
because  it  had  no  moisture.  Other  seed  fell  among  thorns,  and 
the  thorns  grew  up  with  it  and  choked  it.  Other  seed  fell  into 
the  good  ground,  and  grew  up  and  yielded  a  harvest  a  hundred 
fold.”  When  he  said  this,  he  called  out,  “Let  him  who  has  ears 
to  hear,  hear.” 

His  disciples  kept  asking  him  what  the  illustration  meant. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


111 


He  said:  “To  you  it  is  granted  to  know  the  mysteries  of  the 
kingdom  of  God.  But  to  the  rest  the  message  comes  in  figures 
of  speech,  so  that  although  they  see  they  may  not  see,  and 
although  they  hear  they  may  not  understand.  This  is  the 
illustration:  The  seed  is  the  message  of  God.  Those  by  the 
roadside  are  those  who  hear,  and  then  the  Devil  comes  and 
takes  away  the  message  from  their  hearts  so  that  they  may 
not  believe  and  be  saved.  Those  on  the  rock  are  those  who, 
though  they  receive  the  message  with  joy,  yet  have  no  root,  who 
for  a  while  believe,  but  in  the  time  of  trial  desert.  That  which 
fell  among  thorns  means  those  who  hear,  and  as  they  go  on  are 
choked  by  the  cares  and  riches  and  pleasures  of  life  and  bring 
nothing  to  completion.  That  in  the  good  ground  means  those 
who  with  a  noble  and  good  heart  hear  the  message  and  hold  it 
fast  and  bear  fruit  in  patience. 

“No  one  lights  a  lamp  and  hides  it  with  a  bowl  or  puts  it 
under  a  bed.  No,  he  puts  it  on  a  stand  so  that  all  who  come 
in  may  see  the  light.  For  there  is  nothing  hidden  which  will 
not  become  manifest,  nor  secret  which  will  not  be  known  and 
come  to  light.  Be  careful,  then,  how  you  hear;  for  whoever 
has,  to  him  will  be  given,  and  whoever  has  not,  even  what  he 
seems  to  have  will  be  taken  away  from  him.” 

His  mother  and  his  brothers  came  where  he  was,  but  could 
not  get  to  him  on  account  of  the  crowd.  It  was  told  him, 
“Your  mother  and  your  brothers  are  standing  outside  wishing 
to  see  you.”  He  answered,  “My  mother  and  my  brothers  are 
these  who  are  hearing  the  word  of  God  and  doing  it.” 

It  happened  one  day  that  he  got  into  a  boat,  and  his  disciples 
went  with  him.  He  said  to  them,  “  Let  us  cross  over  to  the  other 
side  of  the  lake.”  They  put  out.  While  they  were  sailing  he 
fell  asleep.  A  gale  of  wind  came  down  on  the  lake  and  the  boat 
was  filling  and  in  peril.  Coming  to  him,  they  awoke  him, 
saying,  “Master,  Master,  we  are  going  down!”  He  awoke  and 
rebuked  the  wind  and  the  waves.  They  grew  quiet  and  there 
was  a  calm.  He  said  to  the  disciples,  “Where  is  your  faith?” 
They  were  awed  and  amazed,  and  said  to  one  another,  “Who 
then  is  this  man  who  commands  the  winds  and  the  water  and 
they  obey  him?” 


112 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


They  sailed  to  the  land  of  the  Gerasenes,  which  is  across  from 
Galilee.  When  he  got  out  on  to  the  land,  there  met  him  a 
certain  man  from  that  city  who  had  demons.  For  a  long  time 
he  had  not  worn  clothes  and  had  not  lived  in  a  house,  but  in 
the  tombs.  When  he  saw  Jesus,  he  screamed  and  fell  down 
before  him,  and  in  a  loud  voice  said,  “  What  have  I  to  do  with 
you,  Jesus,  Son  of  God  Most  High?  I  pray  you,  do  not  tor¬ 
ment  me."  For  he  had  commanded  the  impure  spirit  to  come 
out  of  the  man.  Many  times  it  had  seized  him,  and,  though  he 
was  bound  with  chains  and  fetters  and  kept  under  guard,  yet 
bursting  his  chains  he  would  be  driven  by  the  demon  off  into 
the  wilds.  Jesus  asked  him,  “What  is  your  name?"  He  said, 
“  Legion,  ”  for  many  demons  had  entered  into  him.  They  begged 
him  not  to  bid  them  go  away  into  the  abyss.  There  was  near 
by  a  herd  of  many  swine  feeding  on  the  mountain.  The  demons 
begged  him  to  permit  them  to  go  into  the  swine.  He  gave  them 
leave.  The  demons  left  the  man  and  entered  the  swine,  and 
the  herd  rushed  down  the  steep  bank  into  the  lake  and  were 
drowned. 

The  herdsmen,  seeing  what  had  happened,  fled  and  told  it  in 
the  city  and  on  the  farms.  The  people  came  out  to  see  what  had 
happened.  When  they  came  to  Jesus,  they  found  the  man  from 
whom  the  demons  had  gone  out  sitting  at  the  feet  of  Jesus, 
clothed  and  in  his  right  mind,  and  they  were  struck  with  awe. 
Those  who  had  seen  it  told  them  how  the  demoniac  had  been 
cured.  Whereupon  all  the  crowd  from  the  region  of  the  Ger¬ 
asenes  asked  him  to  go  away  from  them,  for  they  were  seized 
with  great  fear.  So  he  got  into  a  boat  and  returned.  The  man 
from  whom  the  demons  had  gone  out  begged  him  to  let  him  be 
with  him.  But  he  sent  him  away,  saying,  “Return  to  your 
home  and  tell  how  much  God  has  done  for  you.”  He  went 
through  the  whole  city  proclaiming  how  much  Jesus  had  done 
for  him. 

As  Jesus  came  back,  a  crowd  welcomed  him,  for  all  were 
expecting  him.  There  came  a  man  by  the  name  of  Jalrus  —  he 
was  a  synagogue  director.  Falling  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  he 
begged  him  to  come  to  his  house  because  he  had  an  only 
daughter,  about  twelve  years  old,  and  she  was  dying.  As  he 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


113 


was  going  the  crowds  pressed  around  him.  A  woman  who  had 
had  a  hemorrhage  for  twelve  years,  and  could  not  be  cured  by 
any  one,  came  up  behind  him  and  touched  the  tassel  of  his 
cloak.  At  once  her  hemorrhage  ceased.  Jesus  said,  “  Who  is  it 
that  touched  me?”  All  denied,  and  Peter  said,  “ Master,  the 
crowd  is  pressing  upon  you  on  every  side.”  Jesus  said,  “Some 
one  touched  me,  for  I  know  that  power  has  gone  forth  from 
me.  ”  The  woman,  seeing  that  she  had  not  escaped  notice,  came 
trembling  and  fell  before  him,  and  told  before  all  the  people 
why  she  had  touched  him  and  how  she  was  instantly  cured. 
He  said  to  her,  “Daughter,  your  faith  has  healed  you.  Go  in 
peace.” 

While  he  was  still  speaking  some  one  came  from  the  Direc¬ 
tor's  house,  saying,  “Your  daughter  is  dead.  Do  not  trouble 
the  teacher  any  longer.”  Jesus  heard  it  and  said  to  him, 
“Never  fear.  Only  believe  and  she  will  be  saved.”  When  he 
came  to  the  house,  he  did  not  permit  any  one  to  enter  with  him 
except  Peter  and  John  and  James  and  the  father  of  the  child 
and  her  mother.  All  were  weeping  and  wailing  for  her.  He 
said,  “Do  not  weep.  She  is  not  dead,  but  asleep.”  They 
laughed  at  him,  knowing  that  she  was  dead.  But  he  took  hold 
of  her  hand  and  said  to  her,  “Little  girl,  rise  up.”  Her  spirit 
returned  and  at  once  she  stood  up.  He  told  them  to  give  her 
something  to  eat.  Her  parents  were  amazed,  but  he  told  them 
not  to  tell  any  one  of  what  had  happened. 

IX 

Jesus  called  together  the  twelve  and  gave  them  power  and 
authority  over  all  demons  and  to  cure  diseases.  Then  he  sent 
them  out  to  proclaim  the  kingdom  of  God  and  to  heal.  He 
said  to  them,  “Take  nothing  for  your  journey,  no  stick,  no 
bag,  no  bread,  no  money,  nor  have  so  much  as  two  tunics. 
Whatever  house  you  enter,  stay  there  and  leave  from  there. 
Whoever  do  not  receive  you  —  as  you  go  out  from  that  city, 
shake  off  the  dust  from  your  feet  as  a  testimony  against  them.  ” 

Going  forth,  they  began  telling  the  good  news  from  village  to 
village  and  performing  cures  everywhere. 

Herod  the  Prince  heard  of  all  that  was  going  on,  and  he  was 


114 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


at  a  loss  because  it  was  said  by  some  that  John  had  risen  from 
the  dead,  by  some  that  Elijah  had  appeared,  and  by  others  that 
some  one  of  the  old  prophets  had  arisen.  Herod  said,  “John 
I  beheaded.  Who  is  this  about  whom  I  hear  such  things?” 
And  he  made  efforts  to  see  him. 

The  apostles  returned  and  told  Jesus  all  that  they  had  done. 
Taking  them  with  him,  he  went  away  privately  to  a  city  called 
Bethsaida.  The  crowds  found  it  out  and  followed  him.  He 
welcomed  them  and  talked  to  them  about  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  cured  those  who  needed  healing.  When  the  day 
began  to  decline,  the  twelve  came  and  said  to  him,  “Dis¬ 
miss  the  crowd,  so  that  they  may  go  to  the  villages  and  farms 
around  and  put  up  for  the  night  and  find  food,  for  here  we  are 
in  the  wild  lands.  ”  He  said  to  them,  “  Give  them  something  to 
eat  yourselves.”  They  replied,  “We  have  not  more  than  five 
loaves  and  two  fishes.  We  cannot  go  and  buy  food  for  all  this 
crowd,  can  we?”  There  were  about  five  thousand  men.  He 
said  to  his  disciples,  “Have  them  recline  in  rows  of  fifty.” 
They  did  so,  and  made  all  recline.  Taking  the  five  loaves  and 
the  fishes,  he  looked  up  to  heaven  and  blessed  them  and  broke 
them  and  gave  to  the  disciples  to  distribute  to  the  crowd. 
They  all  ate  and  had  abundance,  and  what  was  left  over  was 
picked  up  —  twelve  baskets  of  fragments. 

Once  when  he  was  praying  alone,  his  disciples  joined  him, 
and  he  asked  them,  “Who  do  the  crowds  say  that  I  am?” 
The}'  answered,  “John  the  Baptist;  others  say  Elijah;  others 
that  some  one  of  the  old  prophets  has  arisen.  ”  He  said  to  them, 
“But  you,  who  do  you  say  that  I  am?”  Peter  answered,  “The 
Christ  of  God.  ”  But  he  rebuked  him,  and  charged  them  not  to 
say  this  to  any  one,  telling  them  that  the  Son  of  Man  must 
suffer  many  things  and  be  rejected  by  the  elders  and  high 
priests  and  be  killed,  and  on  the  third  day  be  raised.  He  said 
to  all:  “If  any  one  chooses  to  come  after  me,  let  him  disown 
himself  and  take  up  his  cross  every  day  and  follow  me.  He 
who  chooses  to  save  his  life  will  lose  it,  and  whoever  loses  his 
life  for  my  sake  will  save  it.  For  what  will  it  profit  a  man  to 
gain  the  whole  world  if  he  has  lost  or  forfeited  himself?  Who¬ 
ever  is  ashamed  of  me  and  of  my  words,  of  him  the  Son  of  Man 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


115 


will  be  ashamed  when  he  comes  in  his  glory  and  that  of  his 
Father  and  of  the  holy  angels.  I  tell  you  truly  there  are  some 
of  those  standing  here  who  will  not  taste  of  death  until  they 
see  the  kingdom  of  God.” 

About  eight  days  after  this  conversation,  Jesus  took  with  him 
Peter  and  John  and  James  and  went  up  the  mountain  to  pray. 
While  he  was  praying,  the  appearance  of  his  face  changed  and 
his  clothing  became  radiant  white.  Suddenly  two  men  were 
talking  with  him.  They  were  Moses  and  Elijah,  who  appeared 
in  glory  and  spoke  of  his  passing  which  he  was  about  to  ac¬ 
complish  at  Jerusalem.  Peter  and  his  companions  had  been 
weighed  down  with  sleep,  but  becoming  fully  awake  they  saw 
his  glory  and  the  two  men  who  were  standing  with  him.  As 
they  were  departing  from  him,  Peter  said  to  Jesus,  “  Master,  it 
is  fine  for  us  to  be  here.  Let  us  make  three  tents,  one  for  you, 
one  for  Moses,  and  one  for  Elijah,”  not  knowing  what  he  was 
saying.  While  he  was  saying  it  there  came  a  cloud  and  over¬ 
shadowed  them.  They  were  frightened  as  they  entered  the 
cloud.  Then  a  voice  came  from  the  cloud  saying,  “  This  is  my 
Son,  the  Chosen,  listen  to  him.”  When  the  voice  came,  Jesus 
was  there  alone.  They  kept  silent  and  told  no  one  in  those  days 
anything  of  what  they  had  seen. 

On  the  next  day,  as  they  were  coming  down  from  the  moun¬ 
tain,  a  great  crowd  met  him,  and  suddenly  a  man  from  the 
crowd  cried  out,  “  Teacher,  I  pray  you  look  at  my  son,  for  he  is 
my  only  one,  and  see,  a  spirit  seizes  him  and  all  at  once  he 
shrieks.  It  convulses  him  till  he  foams  and  it  hardly  leaves  off 
tormenting  him.  I  begged  your  disciples  to  cast  it  out,  but 
they  could  not.”  Jesus  answered,  “O  faithless  and  perverted 
generation,  how  long  must  I  be  with  you  and  bear  with  you? 
Bring  your  son  here.”  Even  while  he  was  coming,  the  demon 
dashed  him  down  and  convulsed  him.  Jesus  rebuked  the  im¬ 
pure  spirit  and  healed  the  boy  and  gave  him  back  to  his  father. 
They  were  amazed  at  the  greatness  of  God. 

While  they  were  all  wondering  at  all  the  things  that  he  did, 
he  said  to  his  disciples,  “  Receive  these  words  into  your  ears. 
The  Son  of  Man  will  soon  be  betrayed  into  the  hands  of  men.  ” 
But  they  did  not  understand  this  remark,  and  it  was  hidden 


116 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


from  them  so  that  they  did  not  take  it  in,  and  they  were  afraid 
to  ask  him  about  it. 

A  dispute  started  among  them  as  to  which  of  them  was  great¬ 
est.  Jesus  knew  the  question  that  was  in  their  minds,  and  he 
took  a  little  child  and  stood  him  beside  himself.  Then  he  said 
to  them,  “  Whoever  welcomes  this  child  in  my  name  welcomes 
me.  And  whoever  welcomes  me  welcomes  him  who  sent  me. 
For  he  who  is  least  among  you  all,  he  is  great.  ”  John  answered, 
“  Master,  we  saw  one  casting  out  demons  in  your  name  and 
we  tried  to  stop  him  because  he  is  not  following  along  with  us.  ” 
But  Jesus  said  to  him,  “Do  not  stop  him,  for  he  who  is  not 
against  you  is  for  you.” 

As  the  days  before  his  being  taken  up  to  heaven  were  pass¬ 
ing,  he  set  his  face  to  go  to  Jerusalem  and  sent  on  messengers 
in  advance.  In  journeying  they  came  to  a  village  of  Samari¬ 
tans  to  make  arrangements  for  him.  The  Samaritans  did  not 
receive  him  because  his  face  was  toward  Jerusalem.  On  seeing 
this,  his  disciples  James  and  John  said,  “Sir,  do  you  want  us 
to  bid  fire  to  come  down  from  heaven  and  consume  them?” 
But  he  turned  and  rebuked  them.  So  they  journeyed  to 
another  village. 

As  they  were  traveling  on  the  road,  a  man  said  to  him,  “I 
will  follow  you  wherever  you  go.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “The 
foxes  have  holes  and  the  birds  of  the  air  have  coverts,  but  the 
Son  of  Man  has  not  where  to  lay  his  head.”  He  said  to  another, 
“Follow  me.”  But  he  said,  “Let  me  first  go  and  bury  my 
father.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “  Let  the  dead  bury  their  own  dead, 
but  you  go  and  announce  far  and  wide  the  kingdom  of  God.” 
Another  said,  “I  will  follow  you,  Sir,  but  first  let  me  say  good¬ 
bye  to  those  at  my  home.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “No  one  who 
has  put  his  hand  to  the  plow  and  is  looking  backward  is  fit  for 
the  kingdom  of  God.” 


X 

After  this,  the  Master  appointed  seventy  others  and  sent 
them  out  two  and  two  before  him  into  every  city  and  place 
where  he  was  soon  to  come.  He  said  to  them,  “The  harvest  is 
great,  but  the  laborers  are  few.  Pray,  therefore,  to  the  Owner 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


117 


of  the  harvest  to  hurry  out  laborers  into  his  harvest.  Go;  I  am 
sending  you  out  like  sheep  in  the  midst  of  wolves.  Carry  no 
purse,  no  bag,  no  shoes,  and  salute  no  one  by  the  way.  What¬ 
ever  house  you  enter,  first  say,  ‘Peace  be  to  this  house/  And 
if  a  son  of  peace  is  there,  your  peace  will  rest  upon  it;  but  if  not, 
it  will  return  upon  you.  In  the  same  house  remain,  eating  and 
drinking  what  they  have,  for  the  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  wages. 
Do  not  change  about  from  house  to  house.  Whatever  city  you 
enter,  if  they  welcome  you,  eat  what  is  set  before  you.  Heal 
those  in  it  that  are  sick  and  tell  them,  ‘The  kingdom  of  God  is 
near  you/  Whatever  city  you  enter  and  they  do  not  welcome 
you,  go  out  into  the  streets  of  it  and  say,  ‘  Even  the  dust  of  your 
city  that  clings  to  our  feet  we  wipe  off  for  you;  but  know  this, 
that  the  kingdom  of  God  is  near/  I  tell  you,  it  will  be  more 
tolerable  for  Sodom  in  that  day  than  for  that  city.  Alas  for 
you,  Chorazin!  Alas  for  you,  Bethsaida!  For  if  the  miracles 
that  have  been  done  in  you  had  been  done  in  Tyre  and  Sidon, 
they  would  long  ago  have  repented,  sitting  in  sackcloth  and 
ashes.  But  it  will  be  more  tolerable  for  Tyre  and  Sidon  in  the 
judgment  than  for  you.  And  you,  Capernaum,  will  you  be 
exalted  to  heaven?  You  will  be  abased  to  Hades! 

“He  who  hears  you  hears  me,  and  he  who  rejects  you  rejects 
me.  He  who  rejects  me  rejects  him  who  sent  me/’ 

The  seventy  returned  with  joy  saying,  “Master,  even  the 
demons  are  subject  to  us  in  your  name.”  He  said  to  them, 
“I  was  looking  when  Satan  fell  like  lightning  from  heaven. 
See,  I  have  given  you  authority  to  tread  on  serpents  and 
scorpions  and  over  all  the  power  of  the  enemy,  and  nothing  will 
hurt  you.  However,  in  this  rejoice  not,  that  the  spirits  are 
subject  to  you,  but  rejoice  that  your  names  are  written  in 
heaven.” 

At  that  hour  in  exultant  joy  through  the  Holy  Sprit  he  said, 
“I  thank  thee,  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  that  thou 
hast  hidden  these  things  from  the  wise  and  intelligent  and  hast 
revealed  them  to  babes.  Yea,  Father,  1  thank  thee  that  such 
became  thy  good  pleasure. 

“All  things  have  been  committed  to  me  by  my  Father,  and 
no  one  knows  who  the  Son  is  but  the  Father,  or  who  the  Father 


118 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


is  but  the  Son,  and  he  to  whom  the  Son  may  will  to  reveal 
him.”  Turning  to  his  disciples,  he  said  privately,  “  Blessed  are 
your  eyes  that  see  what  you  see!  I  tell  you,  many  prophets 
and  kings  wished  to  see  the  things  that  you  see  and  did  not 
see  them,  and  to  hear  the  things  that  you  hear  and  did  not 
hear  them.” 

Then  a  certain  lawyer  stood  up  to  test  him,  and  said, 
“ Teacher,  what  must  I  do  to  inherit  life  eternal?”  He  said  to 
him,  “  What  is  written  in  the  Law?  How  do  you  read  it?”  He 
answered,  “‘Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
heart  and  with  all  thy  soul  and  with  all  thy  strength  and  with 
all  thy  mind,  and  thy  neighbor  as  thyself  /  ”  Jesus  said  to  him, 
“You  have  answered  correctly;  do  this  and  you  will  live.” 
But  he,  wishing  to  justify  himself,  said  to  Jesus,  “And  who  is 
my  neighbor?  ”  Jesus  rejoined,  “A  certain  man  was  going  down 
from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho  and  fell  among  robbers,  who  stripped 
him  and  beat  him  and  went  away  leaving  him  half  dead.  By 
chance  a  certain  priest  was  going  down  that  road.  When  he 
saw  him,  he  went  by  on  the  other  side.  In  the  same  way  a 
Levite  came  to  the  place  and  saw  him,  and  passed  by  on  the 
other  side.  But  a  certain  Samaritan  as  he  traveled  came  near 
him,  and  saw  him  and  pitied  him,  and  went  to  him  and  bandaged 
his  wounds,  pouring  on  them  oil  and  wine.  Then  placing  him  on 
his  own  beast  he  took  him  to  the  inn  and  cared  for  him.  The 
next  morning  he  took  out  two  shillings  and  gave  them  to  the  inn¬ 
keeper  and  said,  ‘  Care  for  him,  and  what  evermore  you  spend,  1 
will  pay  in  full  when  I  come  back/  Which  of  these  three  seems 
to  you  to  have  become  neighbor  to  the  man  who  fell  among 
the  robbers?”  He  said,  “He  who  did  kindness  to  him.” 
Jesus  said  to  him,  “Go  and  act  in  the  same  way  yourself.” 

As  they  journeyed,  he  entered  a  certain  village.  There  a 
woman  named  Martha  welcomed  him  to  her  house.  She  had  a 
sister  called  Mary  who  seated  herself  at  the  feet  of  the  Master 
and  was  listening  to  his  words.  But  Martha  was  busy  and 
worried  over  a  great  deal  of  service.  Coming  to  him  she  said, 
“Master,  do  you  not  care  that  my  sister  has  left  me  to  do  the 
work  alone?  Tell  her  to  take  hold  with  me.”  But  the  Master 
answered  her,  “Martha,  Martha,  you  are  anxious  and  worried 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


119 


about  many  things,  but  there  is  need  only  of  a  few,  or  one.  Mary 
has  chosen  the  good  part  and  it  shall  not  be  taken  from  her.” 

XI 

Once  he  was  in  a  certain  place  praying.  When  he  ceased,  one 
of  his  disciples  said  to  him,  “Master,  teach  us  to  pray,  as 
John  taught  his  disciples.”  He  said  to  them,  “When  you  pray 
say: 

Father,  thy  name  be  kept  holy; 

Thy  kingdom  come; 

Our  bread  for  the  coming  day 

Give  us  day  by  day; 

And  forgive  us  our  sins; 

For  we  ourselves  forgive  every  one  who  fails  toward  us. 

And  bring  us  not  into  trial.” 

He  said  to  them,  “Suppose  one  of  you  has  a  friend  and  goes 
to  him  at  midnight  and  says  to  him,  ‘Friend,  lend  me  three 
loaves,  for  a  friend  of  mine  has  come  to  my  house  after  a  jour¬ 
ney  and  I  have  nothing  to  set  before  him  ’ ;  and  he  from  within 
answers,  ‘Do  not  trouble  me;  the  door  is  locked,  and  my  chil¬ 
dren  and  I  are  in  bed;  I  cannot  get  up  and  give  you  anything/ 
1  tell  you,  even  if  he  will  not  rise  and  give  them  to  him  because 
he  is  his  friend,  yet  because  of  his  persistence  he  will  rise  and 
give  him  all  that  he  needs.  So  I  tell  you,  ask  and  it  will  be  given 
to  you;  seek  and  you  will  find;  knock  and  the  door  will  be  opened 
to  you.  For  every  one  who  asks  obtains,  and  he  who  seeks 
finds,  and  to  him  who  knocks  the  door  will  be  opened.  What 
father  is  there  among  you  who  if  his  son  asks  for  bread  will 
give  him  a  stone?  Or  if  he  asks  for  a  fish,  will  he  give  him  a 
serpent  instead?  Or  if  he  asks  for  an  egg,  will  he  give  him  a 
scorpion?  If  then  you,  evil  though  you  are,  know  how  to  give 
good  gifts  to  your  children,  how  much  more  will  your  Heavenly 
Father  give  a  holy  spirit  to  those  who  ask  him.” 

He  was  casting  out  a  demon  and  it  was  dumb.  After  the 
demon  had  gone  out,  the  dumb  man  spoke  and  the  crowds 
wondered.  But  some  of  them  said,  “By  Beelzebul,  the  chief  of 
the  demons,,  he  casts  out  the  demons.”  Others,  by  way  of  test. 


120 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE  ’ 


demanded  of  him  a  sign  from  heaven.  But  he,  knowing  their 
reasonings,  said  to  them,  “  Every  kingdom  divided  against 
itself  comes  to  desolation,  and  a  house  divided  against  itself 
falls.  If  Satan  is  divided  against  himself,  how  will  his  kingdom 
stand?  You  say  that  1  am  casting  out  demons  by  Beelzebul; 
but  if  I  am  casting  out  demons  by  Beelzebul,  by  whom  do 
your  sons  cast  them  out?  Therefore  let  them  be  your  judges. 
But  if  I  am  casting  out  demons  by  the  finger  of  God,  then  the 
kingdom  of  God  has  already  reached  you. 

“When  a  strong  man  fully  armed  guards  his  castle,  his 
possessions  are  in  peace.  But  when  a  stronger  than  he  comes 
upon  him  and  conquers  him,  he  takes  all  the  armor  in  which  he 
trusted  and  divides  the  spoils.  He  who  is  not  with  me  is 
against  me,  and  he  who  does  not  gather  with  me  is  scattering. 

“When  the  impure  spirit  comes  out  from  a  man,  he  goes 
through  waterless  places,  seeking  rest.  Not  finding  it,  he  says, 
‘  I  will  return  to  my  house  from  which  I  came  out.’  When  he 
comes,  he  finds  it  empty,  swept,  and  put  in  order.  Then  he 
goes  and  takes  along  seven  spirits  worse  than  himself,  and  they 
enter  and  settle  down  there,  and  the  last  state  of  that  man  be¬ 
comes  worse  than  the  first.” 

While  he  was  saying  this  a  woman  in  the  crowd  raised  her 
voice  and  said,  “Blessed  was  the  womb  that  carried  you  and  the 
breasts  that  you  sucked !”  He  said,  “Blessed  are  they  who 
hear  the  word  of  God  and  keep  it!” 

As  the  crowds  were  thronging  about  him,  he  began  and  said, 
“This  generation  is  an  evil  generation.  It  seeks  for  a  sign,  but 
no  sign  will  be  given  to  it  except  the  sign  of  Jonah.  For  just  as 
Jonah  became  a  sign  to  the  Ninevites  so  the  Son  of  Man  will 
be  to  this  generation.  The  queen  of  the  South  will  rise  in  the 
judgment  with  the  men  of  this  generation  and  will  condemn 
them.  For  she  came  from  the  ends  of  the  earth  to  hear  the 
wisdom  of  Solomon,  and  more  than  a  Solomon  is  here.  The 
men  of  Nineveh  will  stand  up  in  the  judgment  with  this  genera¬ 
tion  and  will  condemn  it.  For  they  repented  at  the  proclama¬ 
tion  of  Jonah,  and  indeed  more  than  a  Jonah  is  here. 

“No  one  lights  a  lamp  and  places  it  in  a  cellar  or  under  the 
peck-measure,  but  on  the  stand,  so  that  those  who  come  in  may 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


121 


see  the  light.  The  lamp  of  the  body  is  the  eye.  When  your  eye 
is  clear  the  whole  body  is  lighted.  But  when  it  is  bad,  your 
body  is  dark.  Make  sure  that  the  light  that  is  in  you  is  not 
darkness.  If  your  body  is  all  lighted  up,  not  having  any  part 
dark,  it  will  be  all  lighted  as  when  the  lamp  lights  you  by  its 
brilliance.” 

During  his  talk  a  Pharisee  kept  asking  him  to  dine  with  him. 
He  went  in  and  reclined  at  table.  The  Pharisee,  seeing  this, 
wondered  that  he  had  not  first  washed  before  dinner.  The 
Master  said  to  him,  “Now  you  Pharisees  cleanse  the  outside  of 
the  cup  and  the  platter,  but  the  inside  of  you  is  full  of  rapacity 
and  wickedness.  You  foolish  men,  did  not  he  who  made  the 
outside  make  the  inside  too?  But  give  the  things  inside  as  gifts 
of  mercy  and  at  once  all  will  be  clean  for  you.  But  alas  for  you, 
Pharisees!  Because  you  tithe  mint,  and  rue,  and  every  herb, 
and  pass  by  justice  and  the  love  of  God.  These  things  you 
ought  to  have  practiced,  without  omitting  the  others.  Alas 
for  you,  Pharisees !  for  you  love  the  first  seats  in  the  synagogues 
and  greetings  in  the  market-places.  Alas  for  you!  for  you  are 
like  unmarked  graves.  The  men  who  walk  over  them  do  not 
know  it.”  One  of  the  lawyers  answered  him,  “Teacher,  in  say¬ 
ing  this  you  treat  us  roughly  too.”  He  said,  “Alas  for  you 
lawyers  also !  for  you  burden  men  with  burdens  hard  to  bear, 
and  you  yourselves  do  not  touch  the  burdens  with  one  of  your 
fingers.  Alas  for  you!  for  you  build  the  tombs  of  the  prophets, 
but  your  fathers  killed  them.  So  you  are  witnesses  and  consent 
to  the  deeds  of  your  fathers,  for  they  killed  them  and  you 
build  their  tombs.  Therefore  also  the  Wisdom  of  God  said, 
‘I  will  send  to  them  prophets  and  apostles,  and  some  of  them 
they  will  kill  and  some  they  will  persecute?  So  the  blood  of  all 
the  prophets  which  has  been  shed  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world  will  be  required  of  this  generation  —  from  the  blood  of 
Abel  to  the  blood  of  Zachariah  who  perished  between  the  altar 
and  the  House.  Yes,  I  tell  you,  it  will  be  required  of  this 
generation.  Alas  for  you  lawyers!  because  you  have  taken 
away  the  key  of  knowledge.  You  yourselves  have  not  entered 
and  you  have  prevented  those  who  were  entering.”  After  he 
went  away  from  there,  the  scribes  and  the  Pharisees  began  to 


122 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


press  upon  him  angrily  and  cross-question  him  on  many  points, 
laying  traps  to  catch  something  from  his  mouth. 

XII 

Meanwhile,  as  the  myriads  of  the  crowd  were  thronging 
together  so  that  they  trod  down  one  another,  he  began  and 
said  to  his  disciples  first,  “  Beware  of  the  yeast  of  the  Pharisees, 
that  is,  their  hypocrisy.  For  nothing  is  covered  up  which  will 
not  be  revealed,  nor  secret  which  will  not  be  known.  Whatever 
you  have  said  in  darkness  will,  on  the  contrary,  be  heard  in  the 
light,  and  what  you  have  spoken  into  the  ear  in  inner  rooms  will 
be  proclaimed  on  the  housetops.  I  tell  you,  my  friends,  never 
fear  those  who  kill  the  body  and  after  that  have  nothing  more 
that  they  can  do.  But  I  will  show  you  whom  you  should  fear. 
Fear  him  who,  after  he  has  killed,  has  power  to  cast  into  Ge¬ 
henna.  Yes,  I  say,  fear  him.  Aie  not  five  sparrows  sold  for 
two  pennies?  Yet  not  one  of  them  is  forgotten  before  God. 
But  even  the  hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered.  Never  fear; 
you  are  worth  more  than  many  sparrows.  But  I  tell  you 
every  one  who  confesses  me  before  men,  him  will  the  Son  of 
Man  confess  before  the  angels  of  God.  And  he  who  disowns 
me  before  men  will  be  disowned  before  the  angels  of  God. 
Every  one  who  speaks  a  word  against  the  Son  of  Man,  it  will 
be  forgiven  him;  but  he  who  says  profane  words  against  the 
Holy  Spirit  will  not  be  forgiven.  When  they  bring  you  in 
before  synagogues  and  magistrates  and  authorities,  do  not  be 
anxious  about  how  to  defend  yourselves  or  what  to  say.  For 
the  Holy  Spirit  will  teach  you  in  that  hour  what  you  must  say.” 

One  out  of  the  crowd  said  to  him,  “  Teacher,  bid  my  brother 
to  divide  the  inheritance  with  me.”  But  he  said,  “Man,  who 
appointed  me  judge  or  divider  over  you?”  He  said  to  them, 
“See  to  it  and  be  on  your  guard  against  every  form  of  covet¬ 
ousness,  for  not  even  when  one  has  a  superabundance  is  his 
life  from  the  things  he  owns.”  He  gave  them  an  illustration, 
saying,  “  The  ground  of  a  certain  rich  man  yielded  abundantly. 
He  debated  within  himself,  saying,  ‘What  shall  I  do?  for  I 
have  no  place  to  store  my  crops/  Then  he  said,  ‘  I  will  do  this: 
I  will  pull  down  my  barns  and  will  build  larger  ones,  and  there 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


123 


I  will  store  all  my  wheat  and  my  goods ;  and  I  will  say  to  my 
soul,  Soul,  you  have  many  goods  laid  up  for  many  years,  take 
your  ease,  eat,  drink,  be  merry ! ’  But  God  said  to  him,  ‘Foolish 
man,  this  night  your  soul  will  be  required  of  you;  and  the 
things  that  you  have  prepared  —  whose  will  they  be?’  So 
is  he  who  lays  up  treasure  for  himself  and  is  not  rich  toward 
God.” 

He  said  to  his  disciples,  “Therefore  I  tell  you,  never  worry 
about  your  life,  what  you  are  to  eat,  nor  about  your  body, 
what  you  are  to  put  on.  For  the  life  is  more  than  the  food  and 
the  body  is  more  than  the  clothing.  Consider  the  ravens,  for 
they  neither  sow  nor  reap;  they  have  neither  granary  nor 
barn;  yet  God  feeds  them.  How  much  more  you  are  worth  than 
the  birds!  Which  of  you  can  by  worrying  add  a  foot  to  his 
height?  If  you  cannot  do  the  least,  why  do  you  worry  about 
the  rest?  Consider  the  lilies,  how  they  neither  spin  nor  weave. 
Yet  I  tell  you  even  Solomon  in  all  his  splendor  was  not  arrayed 
like  one  of  these.  But  if  God  so  clothes  the  herbage  which 
to-day  is  in  the  field  and  to-morrow  is  thrown  into  the  oven, 
how  much  more  will  he  clothe  you,  O  men  of  little  faith!  Do 
not  seek  after  something  to  eat  and  something  to  drink,  and 
do  not  be  agitated  by  cares.  For  these  things  all  the  nations  of 
the  world  are  seeking  after.  But  strive  for  his  kingdom  and 
these  things  will  be  provided  for  you.  Never  fear,  little  flock! 
For  it  is  your  Father’s  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom. 
Sell  what  you  have  and  give  gifts  of  mercy.  Make  for  yourselves 
purses  that  never  grow  old,  an  unfailing  treasure  in  heaven 
where  no  thief  approaches  nor  moth  consumes;  for  where  your 
treasure  is  there  your  heart  will  be.  Let  your  loins  be  girded 
and  your  lamps  burning;  and  be  like  men  expecting  their  Master 
when  he  returns  from  the  wedding,  so  that  when  he  comes  and 
knocks  they  may  open  to  him  immediately.  Blessed  are  those 
servants  whom  the  Master,  when  he  comes,  will  find  watching! 
Truly  I  tell  you  he  will  gird  himself  and  make  them  recline  at 
the  table  and  will  come  and  wait  on  them.  If  he  comes  in  the 
second  watch  or  in  the  third  watch  and  finds  them  so,  blessed 
are  they!  But  know  this,  if  the  householder  had  known  in  what 
hour  the  thief  was  coming,  he  would  not  have  let  his  house  be 


124 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


broken  into.  And  you  be  ready,  for  in  an  hour  that  you  do  not 
think  the  Son  of  Man  is  coming.” 

Peter  said,  “  Master,  do  you  intend  this  illustration  for  us  or 
for  all?”  The  Master  said,  “Who  then  is  the  faithful,  the  wise, 
manager  whom  the  master  will  appoint  over  his  establishment 
to  give  out  rations  at  the  proper  time?  Blessed  is  that  serv¬ 
ant  whom  his  master,  when  he  comes,  will  find  so  doing!  I 
tell  you  truly  he  will  appoint  him  over  all  his  possessions.  But 
if  that  servant  says  in  his  heart,  ‘My  master  will  be  long  in 
coming/  and  begins  to  strike  the  men  servants  and  the  maids 
and  to  eat  and  drink  and  get  drunk,  the  master  of  that  servant 
will  come  on  a  day  when  he  is  not  expecting  and  at  an  hour 
that  he  does  not  know,  and  will  cut  him  in  two  and  appoint  his 
portion  with  the  unfaithful.  That  servant  who  knew  his 
master’s  will  and  is  not  ready,  and  has  not  done  according  to 
his  will,  will  be  beaten  with  many  lashes.  But  he  who  did  not 
know  and  yet  has  done  things  worthy  of  lashes  will  be  beaten 
with  few.  From  every  one  to  whom  much  was  given,  much  will 
be  required,  and  from  him  to  whom  they  have  committed  much, 
men  will  ask  the  more. 

“I  came  to  cast  fire  on  the  earth,  and  what  will  I,  if  it  is 
already  kindled?  I  have  a  baptism  to  be  baptized  with,  and 
how  am  I  distressed  until  it  is  accomplished!  Do  you  think 
that  I  came  to  give  peace  on  the  earth?  No,  I  tell  you,  but 
dissension.  There  will  be  from  now  on  five  in  one  house  split 
into  parties,  three  against  two  and  two  against  three,  father 
against  son,  and  son  against  father,  mother  against  daughter, 
and  daughter  against  her  mother,  mother-in-law  against  her 
daughter-in-law,  and  daughter-in-law  against  her  mother-in- 
law.” 

He  said  also  to  the  crowds,  “When  you  see  a  cloud  rising  in 
the  west,  at  once  you  say,  ‘A  shower  is  coming/  and  so  it  hap¬ 
pens.  And  when  you  see  the  south  wind  blowing,  you  say, 
‘There  will  be  burning  heat/  and  so  it  happens.  Hypocrites, 
you  know  how  to  interpret  the  face  of  the  earth  and  the  sky, 
why  do  you  not  interpret  this  crisis?  Why  do  you  not  of  your¬ 
selves  judge  correctly?  As  you  are  going  with  your  opponent  to 
the  magistrate,  take  pains  on  the  road  to  get  free  from  him,  so 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


125 


that  he  may  not  drag  you  before  the  judge  and  the  judge  de¬ 
liver  you  to  the  officer  and  the  officer  cast  you  into  prison.  I 
tell  you  you  will  not  come  out  until  you  pay  in  full  to  the  last 
penny.” 

XIII 

At  that  time  some  were  present  telling  him  about  the  Galilseans 
whose  blood  Pilate  had  mingled  with  their  sacrifices.  He 
answered  them,  “Do  you  think  that  these  Galilseans  were  sin¬ 
ners  above  all  the  Galilseans  because  they  suffered  this?  No,  I 
tell  you,  but  unless  you  have  a  change  of  heart,  you  will  all 
perish  in  the  same  way.  Or  those  eighteen  upon  whom  the 
tower  in  Siloam  fell  and  killed  them,  do  you  think  that  they 
were  deserving  of  punishment  beyond  all  the  people  that 
dwell  at  Jerusalem?  No,  I  tell  you,  but  unless  you  have  a  change 
of  heart,  you  will  all  perish  just  the  same.”  He  gave  this  il¬ 
lustration:  “A  man  had  a  fig  tree  planted  in  his  vineyard  and 
came  looking  for  fruit  on  it  and  found  none.  He  said  to  the 
gardener,  ‘See,  three  years  I  have  been  coming,  looking  for 
fruit  on  this  fig  tree,  and  I  do  not  find  any.  Cut  it  down.  Why 
should  we  waste  land  for  it?’  But  he  answered  him,  ‘Leave  it 
this  year  too,  Sir,  until  I  dig  around  it  and  throw  on  manure. 
Then,  if  it  yields  fruit  in  the  future,  all  right.  But  if  not,  then 
you  shall  cut  it  down.’” 

He  was  teaching  in  one  of  the  synagogues  on  the  Sabbath. 
And  a  woman  was  there  who  had  had  a  spirit  of  weakness 
eighteen  years,  and  was  bent  together  and  could  not  stand  up 
straight.  When  Jesus  saw  her  he  called  to  her  and  said, 
“Woman,  you  have  been  freed  from  your  weakness,”  and  he 
laid  his  hands  on  her.  Immediately  she  was  straightened  and 
gave  glory  to  God.  But  the  synagogue  Director,  angry  because 
Jesus  was  healing  on  the  Sabbath,  said  to  the  crowd,  “There 
are  six  days  in  which  work  should  be  done.  On  those  days  come 
and  be  healed,  but  not  on  the  Sabbath  day.”  The  Master 
answered  him,  “  Hypocrite,  does  not  each  of  you  on  the  Sabbath 
loose  his  ox  or  his  ass  from  the  manger  and  lead  him  away  and 
water  him?  And  ought  not  this  woman,  a  daughter  of  Abra¬ 
ham,  whom  Satan  had  bound  for  eighteen  years,  to  have  been 


126 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


freed  from  this  bond  on  the  Sabbath  day?”  As  he  said  this,  all 
his  opposers  were  ashamed,  and  all  the  crowd  rejoiced  at  all 
the  glorious  things  that  he  did. 

He  said,  “To  what  is  the  kingdom  of  God  like?  To  what 
shall  I  compare  it?  It  is  like  a  mustard  seed  which  a  man  took 
and  cast  into  his  garden.  It  grew  and  became  a  tree  and  the 
birds  of  heaven  lodged  in  its  branches.”  Again  he  said,  “To 
what  shall  I  compare  the  kingdom  of  God?  It  is  like  yeast 
which  a  woman  took  and  hid  in  three  pecks  of  flour  until  the 
whole  was  leavened.” 

He  was  journeying  through  the  cities  and  villages  teaching 
and  making  his  way  toward  Jerusalem.  A  man  said  to  him, 
“Master,  are  there  few  that  are  saved?”  He  said  to  them, 
“Try  hard  to  enter  through  the  narrow  door;  for  many,  I  tell 
you,  will  try  to  enter  and  will  not  be  able.  After  the  house¬ 
holder  has  arisen  and  has  shut  the  door,  then  you  will  begin  to 
stand  outside  and  knock  at  the  door,  and  say,  ‘Master,  open 
to  us/  And  he  will  answer  you,  ‘  I  do  not  know  you  or  where 
you  come  from.’  Then  you  will  begin  and  say,  ‘We  have  eaten 
and  drunk  before  you  and  you  have  taught  in  our  streets.’ 
And  he  will  say  to  you,  ‘  I  do  not  know  where  you  come  from. 
Go  away  from  me,  all  you  workers  of  wickedness.’  There  will 
be  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth,  when  you  see  Abraham  and 
Isaac  and  Jacob  and  all  the  prophets  in  the  kingdom  of  God 
and  yourselves  thrust  outside.  People  will  come  from  the  east 
and  the  west  and  from  the  north  and  the  south  and  recline  at 
the  table  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  Indeed,  there  are  last  who 
will  be  first  and  there  are  first  who  will  be  last.” 

At  that  time  there  came  to  him  some  Pharisees,  saying, 
“Go  out  and  leave  this  place,  forj  Herod  purposes  to  kill 
you.”  He  said  to  them,  “Go  tell  that  fox,  ‘  See,  I  am  casting  out 
demons  and  performing  cures  to-day  and  to-morrow,  and  on 
the  third  day  I  will  finish.’  But  I  must  journey  to-day  and 
to-morrow  and  the  next  day,  for  it  cannot  be  that  a  prophet 
should  perish  outside  of  Jerusalem.  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  you 
who  kill  the  prophets  and  stone  those  who  are  sent  to  you,  how 
often  would  I  have  gathered  your  children  as  a  bird  gathers  her 
brood  under  her  wings,  and  you  would  not  have  it!  See,  your 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


127 


house  is  left  to  you!  1  tell  you,  you  will  not  see  me  until  the 
day  when  you  say, ‘  Blessed  is  he  who  comes  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord!’” 


XIV 

Once,  when  he  went  into  the  house  of  one  of  the  leaders  of  the 
Pharisees  on  the  Sabbath  to  eat  bread,  they  were  watching  him 
closely.  And  there  before  him  was  a  man  who  had  dropsy. 
Jesus  said  to  the  lawyers  and  Pharisees,  “Is  it  allowable  to  heal 
on  the  Sabbath  or  is  it  not?”  They  kept  quiet.  Then  taking 
hold  of  him  he  cured  him  and  dismissed  him.  He  said  to  them, 
“  If  the  son  or  the  ox  of  any  one  of  you  falls  into  a  well  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  will  he  not  at  once  draw  him  out?”  They  could 
not  say  anything  in  answer  to  this. 

Observing  how  the  guests  were  choosing  the  best  couches, 
he  gave  them  an  illustration:  “When  you  are  invited  by  any 
one  to  a  wedding,  do  not  recline  on  the  best  couch,  for  some 
one  more  honored  than  you  may  have  been  invited,  and  when 
he  who  invited  you  and  him  comes  he  may  say  to  you,  ‘Give 
place  to  this  man/  and  then  you  will  with  shame  begin  and 
take  the  humblest  place.  But  when  you  are  invited,  go  and 
recline  in  the  humblest  place,  so  that  when  he  who  has  invited 
you  comes  he  ma,y  say,  ‘Friend,  come  up  higher/  Then  you 
will  have  honor  before  all  your  fellow  guests.  For  every  one  who 
exalts  himself  will  be  humbled  and  he  who  humbles  himself 
will  be  exalted.” 

He  said,  too,  to  the  man  who  had  invited  him,  “When  you 
make  a  breakfast  or  a  dinner,  do  not  call  your  friends  or  your 
brothers  or  your  relatives,  or  your  rich  neighbors,  for  they 
may  invite  you  in  return  and  you  may  be  repaid.  But  when 
you  hold  a  reception,  invite  poor  men,  maimed  men,  lame  men, 
blind  men.  And  you  will  be  blessed,  because  they  cannot  repay 
you,  and  you  will  be  repaid  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just.” 

On  hearing  this,  one  of  his  fellow  guests  said  to  him,  “Blessed 
will  he  be  who  eats  bread  in  the  kingdom  of  God!”  Jesus  said 
to  him,  “A  certain  man  made  a  great  dinner  and  invited  many, 
and  sent  his  servant  at  the  hour  of  the  dinner  to  tell  the  guests, 
‘Come,  for  things  are  now  ready/  But  they  all  began  with  one 


128 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


mind  to  make  excuse.  The  first  said  to  him,  ‘ 1  have  bought  a 
field  and  must  go  and  see  it.  I  beg  of  you  to  have  me  excused/ 
Another  said,  ‘  I  have  bought  five  yoke  of  oxen  and  I  am  going 
to  try  them.  I  beg  of  you,  have  me  excused/  Another  said,  ‘I 
have  married  a  wife  and  on  that  account  I  cannot  come/  The 
servant  came  back  and  told  his  master  these  things.  Then  the 
householder,  becoming  angry,  said  to  his  servant,  ‘Go  out 
quickly  into  the  streets  and  lanes  of  the  city  and  lead  in  here 
the  poor  and  maimed  and  blind  and  lame/  The  servant  said, 
‘Master,  what  you  ordered  has  been  done  and  still  there  is 
room/  The  master  said  to  the  servant,  ‘  Go  out  into  the  roads 
and  hedges  and  make  them  come  in,  so  that  my  house  may  be 
filled.  I  tell  you  not  one  of  those  men  that  were  invited  shall 
taste  of  my  dinner/  ” 

Great  crowds  were  traveling  along  with  him,  and  he  turned 
and  said  to  them,  “If  any  one  comes  to  me  and  does  not  hate 
his  father  and  his  mother  and  his  wife  and  his  children  and  his 
brothers  and  his  sisters,  yes,  and  his  own  life  also,  he  cannot  be 
a  disciple  of  mine.  Whoever  does  not  take  up  his  own  cross  and 
come  after  me  cannot  be  a  disciple  of  mine.  For  which  of  you 
wishing  to  build  a  tower  does  not  first  sit  down  and  compute 
the  cost,  whether  he  has  enough  to  complete  it,  for  fear  that, 
after  he  has  laid  the  foundation  and  cannot  finish  it,  all  the 
onlookers  may  begin  to  ridicule  him,  saying,  ‘  This  man  began 
to  build  and  could  not  finish/  Or  what  king  going  to  meet 
another  king  in  war  does  not  first  sit  down  and  deliberate 
whether  he  is  able  with  ten  thousand  to  meet  him  who  is  com¬ 
ing  against  him  with  twenty  thousand.  If  not,  while  the  other 
is  still  far  off  he  sends  an  embassy  and  asks  for  conditions  of 
peace.  Just  so  no  one  of  you  who  does  not  renounce  all  that  he 
has  can  be  a  disciple  of  mine.  Salt  is  good,  but  if  the  salt 
becomes  tasteless,  with  what  shall  it  be  seasoned?  It  is  fit 
neither  for  the  land  nor  for  the  manure  heap.  They  throw  it 
away.  Let  him  who  has  ears  to  hear,  hear.” 

XV 

All  the  tax  collectors  and  sinners  were  drawing  near  to  him 
in  order  to  hear  him.  The  Pharisees  and  the  scribes  grumbled 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


129 


to  one  another,  “This  man  welcomes  sinners  and  eats  with 
them.”  He  gave  them  this  illustration:  “What  man  of  you,  if 
he  has  a  hundred  sheep  and  has  lost  one  of  them,  does  not  leave 
the  ninety-nine  in  the  wilderness  and  go  after  the  lost  one  until 
he  has  found  it?  And  when  he  has  found  it  he  lays  it  on  his 
shoulders  with  joy,  and  when  he  comes  home  he  calls  together 
his  friends  and  neighbors  and  says, 1  Rejoice  with  me,  for  I  have 
found  my  sheep  that  was  lost!’  I  tell  you  there  will  be  more 
joy  in  heaven  over  one  sinner  whose  heart  is  changed  than  over 
ninety-nine  righteous  men  who  have  no  need  to  change. 

“Or  what  woman  who  has  ten  shillings,  if  she  loses  one 
shilling,  does  not  light  a  lamp  and  sweep  the  house  and  look  for 
it  carefully  until  she  finds  it?  And  when  she  finds  it,  she  calls 
together  her  friends  and  neighbors  and  says,  ‘  Rejoice  with  me, 
for  I  have  found  the  shilling  that  I  lost/  So  I  tell  you  there 
springs  joy  in  the  presence  of  the  angels  of  God  over  one  sin¬ 
ner  whose  heart  is  changed.” 

He  said  further,  “A  certain  man  had  two  sons.  And  the 
younger  of  them  said  to  his  father,  ‘  Father,  give  me  the  portion 
of  the  property  that  is  coming  to  me/  So  he  divided  his  wealth 
between  them.  Not  many  days  later,  the  younger  son  got 
everything  together  and  went  away  to  a  far  country  and  there 
squandered  his  property  in  a  dissolute  life.  When  he  had  spent 
everything,  there  came  a  terrible  famine  in  that  land  and  he 
began  to  be  in  want.  So  he  went  and  attached  himself  to  one 
of  the  citizens  of  that  country  who  sent  him  into  his  fields  to 
feed  swine.  And  he  would  fain  have  filled  his  stomach  with  the 
pods  the  swine  were  eating,  but  no  one  gave  him  anything. 
Then,  coming  to  himself,  he  said,  ‘  How  many  hired  men  of  my 
father  have  bread  more  than  enough,  and  here  I  am  perishing 
with  famine.  I  will  arise  and  go  to  my  father  and  will  say  to 
him,  Father,  I  have  sinned  against  heaven  and  before  you.  I 
am  no  longer  worthy  to  be  called  your  son.  Make  me  as  one 
of  your  hired  men.  And  he  arose  and  came  to  his  father. 
But  while  he  was  still  far  off,  his  father  saw  him  and  pitied  him, 
and  ran  and  fell  on  his  neck  and  kissed  him  tenderly.  The  son 
said  to  him,  ‘Father,  I  have  sinned  against  heaven  and  before 
you.  I  am  no  longer  worthy  to  be  called  your  son  — ,  But  the 


130 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


father  said  to  his  servants,  ‘Bring  out  quickly  the  best  robe  and 
put  it  on  him,  and  put  a  ring  on  his  hand,  and  shoes  on  his 
feet;  and  bring  the  fattened  calf  and  kill  it,  and  let  us  eat  and 
make  merry.  For  this,  my  son,  was  dead  and  has  come  to  life; 
he  was  lost  and  has  been  found/  And  they  began  to  be  merry. 
Now  his  older  son  was  in  the  field,  and  when  on  returning  he 
drew  near  the  house  he  heard  music  and  dancing.  Calling 
to  him  one  of  the  servants,  he  inquired  what  this  was.  The 
servant  said  to  him,  ‘Your  brother  has  come  and  your  father 
has  killed  the  fattened  calf  because  he  has  received  him  back 
in  health/  But  he  grew  angry,  and  would  not  go  in.  Then  his 
father  came  out  and  begged  him.  But  he  answered  his  father, 
‘See,  all  these  years  I  have  been  serving  you,  and  I  never 
broke  a  command  of  yours,  yet  you  have  never  given  me  a  kid 
to  make  merry  with  my  friends.  But  when  this  son  of  yours, 
who  has  wasted  your  property  with  bad  women,  came,  you 
have  killed  for  him  the  fattened  calf/  But  the  father  said  to 
him,  ‘Child,  you  are  always  with  me  and  all  that  I  have  is 
yours.  We  could  not  but  make  merry  and  rejoice,  for  your 
brother  here  was  dead  and  has  come  to  life;  he  was  lost  and  is 
found/” 


XVI 

He  said  to  his  disciples,  “  A  certain  rich  man  had  a  manager  who 
was  accused  to  him  of  wasting  his  property.  Calling  him  to 
him,  he  said,  ‘What  is  this  that  I  hear  about  you?  Give  an 
account  of  your  management ;  for  you  cannot  longer  be  mana¬ 
ger/  The  manager  said  to  himself,  ‘  What  shall  1  do?  for  my 
master  is  going  to  take  the  management  away  from  me.  I 
have  not  strength  to  dig;  I  am  ashamed  to  beg.  I  know  what  I 
will  do,  so  that  when  1  am  dismissed  from  the  management 
they  may  welcome  me  into  their  houses/  So,  calling  to  him  all 
of  the  debtors  of  his  master,  he  said  to  the  first,  ‘  How  much  do 
you  owe  to  my  master? '  He  replied,  ‘  A  hundred  measures  of  oil/ 
He  said,  ‘Take  your  account  and  sit  down  quickly  and  write 
fifty/  Then  to  another  he  said,  ‘And  you,  how  much  do  you 
owe?’  He  replied,  ‘A  hundred  measures  of  wheat/  He  said  to 
him,  ‘Take  your  account  and  write  eighty/  The  master 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


131 


praised  the  wicked  manager  because  he  had  done  prudently. 
For  the  sons  of  this  world  are  with  reference  to  their  own 
generation  wiser  than  the  sons  of  light.  I  tell  you,  make  for 
yourselves  friends  with  the  Mammon  of  unrighteousness,  so 
that  when  it  fails  they  may  welcome  you  into  the  eternal 
tents.  He  who  is  faithful  in  the  least  is  faithful  also  in  much, 
and  he  who  is  dishonest  in  the  least  is  also  dishonest  in  much. 
If,  then,  you  have  not  been  faithful  in  the  dishonest  Mammon, 
who  will  entrust  to  you  the  true?  And  if  you  were  not  faithful 
in  what  was  another’s,  who  will  give  you  what  is  your  own? 
No  house  servant  can  serve  two  masters.  For  either  he  will 
hate  one  and  love  the  other  or  he  will  hold  to  one  and  despise 
the  other.  You  cannot  serve  God  and  Mammon.” 

The  Pharisees,  who  were  lovers  of  money,  were  listening  to 
all  this  and  they  were  sneering  at  him.  He  said  to  them,  “You 
are  those  who  justify  yourselves  before  men,  but  God  knows 
your  hearts.  For  what  is  highly  esteemed  among  men  is  an 
abomination  before  God. 

“The  Law  and  the  Prophets  were  until  John.  From  that 
time  the  good  news  of  the  kingdom  of  God  is  proclaimed  and 
every  one  is  forcing  his  way  into  it. 

“It  is  easier  for  heaven  and  earth  to  pass  away  than  for  one 
stroke  of  a  letter  of  the  Law  to  fail. 

“  Every  one  who  divorces  his  wife  and  marries  another  com¬ 
mits  adultery,  and  he  who  marries  a  divorced  woman  commits 
adultery. 

“A  certain  man  was  rich  and  was  clothed  in  purple  and 
fine  linen  and  lived  merrily  every  day  in  splendor.  And  a 
certain  poor  man  by  the  name  of  Lazarus  had  been  laid  at  his 
gate,  full  of  sores  and  longing  to  be  fed  from  what  fell  from  the 
rich  man’s  table.  Even  the  dogs  came  and  licked  his  sores. 
It  happened  that  the  poor  man  died  and  was  carried  by  the 
angels  to  Abraham’s  bosom.  The  rich  man  also  died  and  was 
buried.  And  in  Hades  he  lifted  up  his  eyes,  being  in  torments, 
and  saw  Abraham  far  off  and  Lazarus  in  his  bosom.  He  called 
and  said,  ‘Father  Abraham,  have  compassion  on  me  and  send 
Lazarus  to  dip  the  tip  of  his  finger  in  water  and  cool  my 
tongue;  for  I  am  in  anguish  in  this  flame.’  But  Abraham  said, 


132 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


1  Child,  remember  that  you  had  your  good  things  in  full  in  your 
lifetime,  and  Lazarus  likewise  had  his  evil  things.  Now  he  is  here 
receiving  comfort  and  you  are  in  anguish.  Moreover,  between 
us  and  you  a  great  chasm  has  been  fixed,  so  that  those  who 
wish  to  cross  from  here  to  you  cannot,  nor  can  any  cross  from 
there  to  us.’  But  he  said,  ‘  I  beg  you,  then,  Father,  to  send  him 
to  my  father’s  house,  for  I  have  five  brothers,  in  order  to 
testify  to  them,  so  that  they  may  not  come  also  to  this  place  of 
torment.’  Abraham  said,  ‘They  have  Moses  and  the  prophets. 
Let  them  listen  to  them.’  But  he  said,  ‘No,  father  Abraham, 
but  if  one  goes  to  them  from  the  dead,  they  will  have  a  change 
of  heart.’  Abraham  replied,  ‘  If  they  do  not  listen  to  Moses  and 
the  prophets,  neither  will  they  be  persuaded,  though  one  rises 
from  the  dead.’” 


XVII 

He  said  to  his  disciples,  “It  cannot  be  but  that  occasions  of 
stumbling  will  arise,  but  alas  for  him  through  whom  they  come! 
It  would  be  better  for  him  if,  with  a  millstone  hung  around  his 
neck,  he  had  been  flung  into  the  sea  than  to  cause  one  of  these 
little  ones  to  stumble. 

“Be  on  your  guard.  If  your  brother  sins  against  you,  re¬ 
prove  him,  and  if  he  changes  his  mind,  forgive  him.  Even  if 
seven  times  in  the  day  he  sins  against  you  and  seven  times 
turns  to  you,  saying,  ‘I  repent,’  forgive  him.” 

The  apostles  said  to  the  Master,  “Increase  our  faith.” 
The  Master  said,  “If  you  had  faith  like  a  mustard  seed,  you 
would  say  to  this  mulberry  tree,  ‘  Be  uprooted  and  planted  in 
the  sea,’  and  it  would  obey  you. 

“Who  is  there  of  you,  having  a  servant  plowing  or  keeping 
sheep,  that  will  say  to  him  when  he  comes  in  from  the  field, 
‘  Come  quickly  and  recline  at  table  ’  ?  On  the  contrary,  will  he 
not  say  to  him,  ‘Make  ready  something  for  my  dinner  and  gird 
yourself  and  wait  on  me  while  I  eat  and  drink,  and  after  that 
you  may  eat  and  drink  yourself’?  Does  he  thank  the  servant 
because  he  did  what  he  was  told?  Just  so  you,  when  you  have 
done  all  that  has  been  commanded  you,  say,  ‘We  are  useless 
servants;  we  have  done  merely  what  we  ought  to  have  done.” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


133 


It  happened  that  on  his  journey  toward  Jerusalem  he  was 
going  through  Samaria  and  Galilee.  As  he  was  approaching 
a  certain  village,  ten  leprous  men  met  him.  They  stood  at 
a  distance,  and,  raising  their  voices,  called,  “Jesus,  Master, 
have  compassion  on  us.”  When  Jesus  saw  them,  he  said, 
“Go  and  show  yourselves  to  the  priests.”  While  they  were 
going,  they  became  clean.  One  of  them,  seeing  that  he  had 
been  cured,  turned  back  with  a  loud  shout  giving  glory  to  God, 
and  he  fell  on  his  face  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  thanking  him.  He 
was  a  Samaritan.  Jesus  said,  “Were  not  ten  cleansed?  But 
the  nine  —  where  are  they?  Was  there  none  found  returning 
to  give  glory  to  God  except  this  foreigner?”  He  said  to  him, 
“Rise  and  go.  Your  faith  has  healed  you.” 

On  being  asked  by  the  Pharisees  when  the  kingdom  of  God 
was  coming,  Jesus  answered  them,  “The  kingdom  of  God  will 
not  come  in  a  way  that  can  be  observed,  nor  will  they  say, 

‘ Here  it  is!’  or,  ‘There  it  is!’  For  indeed  the  kingdom  of  God 
is  among  you.”  He  said  to  the  disciples,  “  There  will  come  days 
when  you  will  wish  to  see  one  of  the  days  of  the  Son  of  Man 
and  you  will  not  see  it.  They  will  say  to  you,  ‘See  here!’  or, 
‘See  there!’  but  do  not  start  off  or  go  in  pursuit.  For  as  the 
lightning  when  it  flashes  shines  from  one  part  of  the  heavens  to 
the  other,  so  will  the  Son  of  Man  be  in  his  day.  But  first  he 
must  suffer  many  things,  and  be  rejected  by  this  generation. 
As  it  happened  in  the  days  of  Noah,  so  will  it  be  in  the  days  of 
the  Son  of  Man.  They  were  eating  and  drinking,  marrying 
and  being  given  in  marriage,  until  the  day  that  Noah  went  into 
the  ark  and  the  flood  came  and  destroyed  them  all.  Just  so  it 
was  in  the  days  of  Lot;  they  were  eating  and  drinking,  buying 
and  selling,  planting  and  building.  But  on  the  day  that  Lot 
went  out  of  Sodom  it  rained  fire  and  brimstone  from  heaven 
and  destroyed  them  all.  So  will  the  Son  of  Man  be  on  the  day 
that  he  is  revealed.  On  that  day,  if  a  man  is  on  the  housetop 
and  his  things  in  the  house,  he  must  not  come  down  to  get 
them,  and  for  the  same  reason  if  he  is  in  the  field  he  must  not 
turn  back.  Remember  Lot’s  wife.  Whoever  seeks  to  save 
his  life  will  lose  it,  and  whoever  loses  it  will  save  it.  I  tell 
you  that  night  there  will  be  two  men  in  one  bed;  one  will  be 


134 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


taken  with  him  and  the  other  will  be  left.  There  will  be  two 
women  grinding  at  the  same  mill,  one  will  be  taken  with  him 
and  the  other  will  be  left.”  They  said  to  him,  “  Where, 
Master?”  He  said  to  them,  “ Where  the  carcass  is,  there  will 
the  vultures  come  flocking  together.” 

XVIII 

He  gave  them  an  illustration  that  they  ought  always  to  pray 
and  not  to  lose  courage.  He  said,  “There  was  in  a  certain 
city  a  judge  who  did  not  fear  God  or  regard  man.  And  there 
was  a  widow  in  that  city  who  kept  coming  to  him  and  saying, 
‘Give  me  justice  against  my  adversary.7  For  a  time  he  would 
not.  Later  he  said  to  himself,  ‘Even  though  I  do  not  fear  God 
nor  regard  man,  yet  because  this  widow  is  annoying  me  I  will 
do  her  justice  so  that  she  may  not  keep  coming  and  mauling 
me  forever.7  77  The  Master  said,  “  Hear  what  the  wicked  judge 
says;  and  will  not  God  do  justice  for  his  elect,  who  are  calling 
to  him  day  and  night,  even  though  he  is  long-suffering  with 
their  adversaries?  I  tell  you,  he  will  do  justice  for  them 
speedily.  But  when  the  Son  of  Man  comes,  will  he  find  faith 
on  the  earth?77 

He  gave  also  this  illustration  to  some  who  trusted  in  them¬ 
selves  as  being  righteous  and  despised  others:  “Two  men  went 
up  to  the  Temple  courts  to  pray.  One  was  a  Pharisee  and  the 
other  was  a  tax  collector.  The  Pharisee  stood  and  prayed  thus 
with  himself,  ‘God,  I  thank  thee  that  I  am  not  like  the  rest  of 
men,  extortioners,  cheats,  adulterers,  or  even  like  this  tax 
collector.  I  fast  twice  a  week.  I  give  tithes  of  all  I  get.7  But 
the  tax  collector  stood  far  off  and  would  not  even  lift  his  eyes 
to  heaven,  but  beat  his  breast,  saying,  ‘  God  be  merciful  to  me, 
the  sinner!7  I  tell  you  this  man  went  down  to  his  house  justi¬ 
fied  rather  than  the  other.  For  every  one  who  exalts  him¬ 
self  will  be  humbled,  and  he  who  humbles  himself  will  be 
exalted.77 

They  were  bringing  to  him  babes  for  him  to  touch.  The 
disciples  on  seeing  this  rebuked  them.  But  Jesus  called  the 
children  to  him,  saying,  “Let  the  little  children  come  to  me, 
and  do  not  hinder  them;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE  135 

Truly,  I  tell  you,  whoever  does  not  receive  the  kingdom  of 
God  as  a  little  child  will  not  enter  it.” 

One  of  the  rulers  asked  him,  “Good  Teacher,  what  shall  I 
do  to  inherit  life  eternal?’’  Jesus  said  to  him,  “Why  do  you 
call  me  good?  No  one  is  good  except  one  —  God.  You  know 
the  commandments:  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery,  Thou 
shalt  not  commit  murder,  Thou  shalt  not  steal,  Thou  shalt  not 
bear  false  witness,  Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother.”  He 
said,  “  All  these  I  have  kept  from  my  boyhood  up.”  On  hearing 
that,  Jesus  said  to  him,  “You  lack  still  one  thing.  Sell  all  that 
you  have  and  distribute  to  the  poor  and  you  will  have  treasure 
in  heaven,  and  then  come  and  follow  me.”  But  he,  on  hearing 
this,  became  deeply  sorrowful,  for  he  was  very  rich.  Jesus 
looked  at  him  and  said,  “With  how  much  difficulty  do  those 
who  have  riches  enter  the  kingdom  of  God!  It  is  easier  for 
a  camel  to  go  through  the  eye  of  a  needle  than  for  a  rich  man  to 
enter  the  kingdom  of  God!”  Those  who  heard  it  said,  “Then 
who  can  be  saved?”  He  said,  “The  things  that  are  impossible 
with  men  are  possible  with  God.”  Peter  said,  “See,  we  have 
left  our  property  and  have  followed  you.”  He  said  to  them, 
“  I  tell  you  truly  there  is  no  one  who  has  left  house  or  wife  or 
brothers  or  parents  or  children  for  the  sake  of  the  kingdom  of 
God  who  will  not  receive  many  times  more  in  this  world,  and 
in  the  world  to  come  life  eternal.” 

Taking  the  twelve  aside,  he  said  to  them,  “We  are  going  up 
to  Jerusalem,  and  all  the  things  written  through  the  prophets 
will  be  fully  done  to  the  Son  of  Man.  For  he  will  be  handed 
over  to  the  Gentiles  and  he  will  be  made  sport  of  and  insulted 
and  spit  upon,  and  they  will  scourge  him  and  kill  him,  and  on 
the  third  day  he  will  rise.”  But  they  understood  none  of  these 
things,  and  what  he  said  was  hidden  from  them.  They  did  not 
grasp  the  meaning  of  his  words. 

As  he  approached  Jericho,  a  blind  man  was  sitting  by  the 
roadside  begging.  Hearing  a  crowd  passing,  he  inquired  what 
this  was.  They  told  him,  “Jesus,  the  Nazarene,  is  passing  by.” 
Then  he  shouted,  “Jesus,  son  of  David,  have  pity  on  me!” 
Those  who  were  in  front  rebuked  him  and  told  him  to  be  still. 
But  he  kept  crying  out  much  louder,  “Son  of  David,  have  pity 


136 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


on  me!”  Jesus  stopped  and  ordered  the  man  to  be  led  to  him. 
When  he  had  come  up,  Jesus  asked  him,  “What  do  you  want 
me  to  do  for  you?”  He  said,  “Sir,  I  want  my  sight.”  Jesus 
said  to  him,  “See.  Your  faith  has  healed  you.”  Immediately 
he  received  sight  and  followed  him,  giving  glory  to  God.  All 
the  people  upon  seeing  this  gave  praise  to  God. 

XIX 

He  entered  and  was  passing  through  Jericho.  In  the  city  there 
was  a  man  called  Zacchseus,  who  was  chief  of  the  tax  collectors 
and  was  rich.  He  was  trying  to  see  Jesus  —  what  he  was  like; 
but  he  could  not  on  account  of  the  crowd,  for  he  was  short  in 
stature.  So  running  ahead  he  climbed  up  into  a  mulberry  tree 
to  see  him,  for  he  was  going  to  pass  that  way.  When  Jesus 
came  to  the  place,  he  looked  up  and  said  to  him,  “Zacchseus, 
make  haste  and  come  down;  to-day  I  must  stay  at  your  house.” 
He  hurriedly  descended  and  welcomed  him  joyfully.  All  who 
saw  it  grumbled,  saying  that  Jesus  was  going  in  to  stay  with 
a  sinner.  Zacchseus  stood  and  said  to  the  Master,  “See,  the 
half  of  my  property,  Sir,  I  give  to  the  poor,  and  if  I  have  un¬ 
justly  taken  anything  from  any  one,  I  will  give  him  back  four¬ 
fold.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “To-day  salvation  has  come  to  this 
house,  since  he  also  is  a  son  of  Abraham.  For  the  Son  of  Man 
came  to  seek  and  to  save  the  lost.” 

While  they  were  listening  to  this,  he  added  an  illustration, 
because  he  was  near  to  Jerusalem  and  they  were  thinking  that 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  was  going  to  appear  immediately.  He 
said,  “A  certain  nobleman  went  into  a  far  country  to  get  for 
himself  a  kingdom  and  return.  Calling  his  ten  servants,  he 
gave  them  each  an  equal  sum  of  money  1  and  said  to  them, 
‘Do  business  until  I  come.’  But  his  citizens  hated  him  and 
sent  an  embassy  after  him  to  say,  ‘  We  do  not  want  this  man  to 
be  king  over  us.’  When  he  returned,  having  secured  the  royal 
power,  he  ordered  those  servants  to  whom  he  had  given  the 
silver  to  be  called  to  him  that  he  might  know  what  each  had 
gained  in  trading.  The  first  came  saying,  ‘  Sir,  your  money  has 

1  The  unit  of  money  mentioned  here.dn  Greek  a  mna ,  was  worth  about 
twenty  dollars. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


137 


gained  tenfold.’  He  said,  ‘Well  done,  good  servant,  because 
you  were  faithful  in  the  least  you  shall  be  ruler  over  ten  cities.’ 
Then  came  the  second,  saying,  ‘Your  money,  Sir,  has  made 
fivefold.’  He  said  to  this  one,  ‘And  you  shall  be  over  five 
cities.’  Another  one  came,  saying,  ‘Sir,  here  is  your  silver, 
which  I  kept  laid  away  in  a  napkin.  For  I  feared  you,  because 
you  are  an  austere  man;  you  take  up  what  you  did  not  lay  down 
and  you  reap  where  you  did  not  sow.’  He  said  to  him,  ‘Out  of 
your  own  mouth  I  will  judge  you,  you  wicked  servant.  Did  you 
know  that  I  was  an  austere  man,  taking  up  what  I  did  not  lay 
down  and  reaping  where  I  did  not  sow?  Then  why  did  you  not 
put  my  silver  into  the  bank,  so  that  when  I  came  I  could  have 
exacted  it  with  interest?’  Then  to  those  who  stood  by  he  said, 
‘  Take  from  him  the  silver  and  give  it  to  him  who  has  tenfold.’ 
They  said  to  him,  ‘Sir,  he  has  tenfold.’  ‘I  tell  you,’  he  said, 
‘that  to  every  one  who  has,  shall  be  given,  and  from  him  who 
has  not,  even  what  he  has  shall  be  taken.  But  those  enemies  of 
mine,  who  did  not  want  me  to  be  king  over  them,  bring  hero 
and  slaughter  them  before  me.’” 

When  he  had  said  these  things,  he  journeyed  onward,  going 
up  toward  Jerusalem.  When  they  approached  Bethphage  and 
Bethany  at  the  mount  called  the  Olive  Orchard,  he  sent  two 
of  his  disciples,  telling  them,  “Go  into  the  village  across  there, 
and  as  you  enter  it  you  will  find  a  colt  tied  upon  which  no 
man  has  ever  sat.  Loose  it  and  lead  it  here.  If  any  one  asks 
you,  ‘Why  are  you  loosing  it?’  say,  ‘The  Master  has  need  of 
it.’”  Those  who  were  sent  went  and  found  everything  just  as 
he  had  said  to  them.  While  they  were  loosing  the  colt,  its 
owners  said  to  them,  “Why  are  you  loosing  the  colt?”  They 
said,  “The  Master  has  need  of  it.”  They  led  it  to  Jesus  and 
threw  their  cloaks  on  the  colt  and  mounted  Jesus  on  it.  As  he 
advanced,  some  spread  their  cloaks  in  the  road,  and  as  he 
approached  the  descent  of  the  Mount  of  Olives  all  the  multi¬ 
tude  of  the  disciples  began  to  rejoice  and  praise  God  in  a  loud 
voice  for  all  the  miracles  they  had  seen,  saying:  “Blessed  be  he 
who  comes  as  king,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord !  Peace  in  heaven 
and  glory  in  the  heights  above!”  Some  of  the  Pharisees  from 
the  crowd  said  to  him,  “Teacher,  rebuke  your  disciples.”  But 


138  THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 

he  said,  “I  tell  you  if  these  become  silent,  the  stones  will  cry 
out.” 

As  he  drew  near  and  looked  at  the  city,  he  wept  over  it,  say¬ 
ing,  “  If  this  day  you  also  knew  the  things  that  make  for  peace! 
But  now  they  are  hidden  from  your  eyes!  For  days  will  come 
when  your  enemies  will  throw  up  a  palisade  against  you  and 
encircle  you  and  hem  you  in  on  every  side  and  level  you  to  the 
ground,  and  your  children  within  you,  and  they  will  not  leave 
one  stone  upon  another  in  you,  because  you  did  not  know  the 
time  when  you  were  visited.”  Entering  into  the  Temple  courts 
he  began  and  drove  out  the  dealers,  saying  to  them,  “It  is 
written,  ‘  My  house  shall  be  a  house  of  prayer/  but  you  have 
made  it  a  den  of  robbers.” 

He  was  teaching  every  day  in  the  Temple  courts.  But  the 
high  priests  and  the  scribes  were  bent  on  destroying  him,  and 
so  were  the  first  citizens.  But  they  could  find  no  way  to  do  it; 
for  all  the  people  hung  upon  him  listening. 

XX 

On  one  of  those  days,  as  he  was  teaching  the  people  in  the 
Temple  courts  and  proclaiming  the  good  news,  the  high  priests 
and  the  scribes  came  up  with  the  elders  and  said  to  him,  “Tell 
us  by  what  authority  you  are  doing  these  things  or  who  it  is 
that  gave  you  this  authority.”  He  answered  them,  “I  too  will 
ask  you  a  question  and  you  must  tell  me:  the  baptism  of  John, 
was  it  from  heaven  or  from  men?”  They  conferred  among 
themselves,  saying,  “  If  we  say,  *  From  heaven/  he  will  say, 
‘Why  then  did  you  not  believe  him?’  and  if  we  say,  ‘From 
men/  all  the  people  will  stone  us;  for  they  are  persuaded  that 
John  was  a  prophet.”  So  they  answered  that  they  did  not 
know  where  it  came  from.  Jesus  said  to  them,  “Neither  will  I 
tell  you  by  what  authority  I  am  doing  these  things.” 

He  began  and  gave  the  people  this  illustration:  “A  man 
planted  a  vineyard  and  let  it  out  to  grape-growers  and  went 
abroad  for  a  long  time.  At  the  proper  season  he  sent  to  the 
grape-growers  a  servant  for  them  to  give  him  a  part  of  the 
fruit  of  the  vineyard.  But  the  grape-growers  beat  him,  and 
sent  him  away  empty-handed.  He  afterwards  sent  another 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


139 


servant.  That  one,  too,  they  beat  and  insulted  and  sent  away 
empty-handed.  Then  he  sent  a  third.  But  this  one,  too,  they 
wounded  and  threw  out.  The  owner  of  the  vineyard  said,  ‘  I 
will  send  my  son,  my  beloved.  Perhaps  they  will  reverence 
him.’  But  when  the  grape-growers  saw  him,  they  conferred 
with  one  another  and  said,  ‘This  is  the  heir.  Let  us  kill  him  so 
that  the  inheritance  may  be  ours/  So  they  threw  him  outside 
of  the  vineyard  and  killed  him.  What  now  will  the  owner  of 
the  vineyard  do?  He  will  come  and  destroy  those  grape- 
growers  and  will  give  the  vineyard  to  others.’ 7  When  they 
heard  this,  they  exclaimed,  “May  it  never  be!”  He  turned  his 
eyes  upon  them  and  said,  “What  does  this  Scripture  mean, 
‘The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected  —  that  one  has  become 
the  corner  stone’?  Every  one  who  falls  upon  that  stone  will  be 
shattered,  but  whomever  it  falls  on  it  will  crush  to  pieces.” 

The  scribes  and  the  high  priests  were  eager  to  lay  hands  on 
him  at  that  very  time,  for  they  knew  that  he  had  aimed  the 
illustration  at  them;  but  they  were  afraid  of  the  people.  So 
watching  insidiously  for  an  opportunity  they  sent  spies,  who 
pretended  to  be  honest  men,  to  seize  upon  anything  he  might 
say,  so  as  to  hand  him  over  to  the  authorities  and  to  the  power 
of  the  Governor.  They  asked  him,  “Teacher,  we  know  that 
you  speak  and  teach  correctly  and  that  you  do  not  regard 
personal  influences,  but  you  teach  the  way  of  God  according  to 
truth.  Is  it  right  for  us  to  give  tribute  to  Caesar  or  not?”  He 
saw  through  their  cunning  and  said  to  them,  “  Show  me  a  coin. 
Whose  head  and  inscription  does  it  have  on  it?”  They  said, 
“Caesar’s.”  He  said  to  them,  “Then  pay  to  Caesar  what  be¬ 
longs  to  Caesar  and  pay  to  God  what  belongs  to  God.”  They 
could  not  seize  upon  his  words  before  the  people,  and  in 
astonishment  at  his  answer  they  were  silent. 

There  came  to  him  some  of  the  Sadducees,  who  deny  that 
there  is  any  resurrection,  and  asked  him,  “Teacher,  Moses 
wrote  for  us,  ‘  If  any  one’s  married  brother  dies  childless,  that 
man  must  marry  his  brother’s  widow  and  raise  up  offspring  for 
his  brother.’  Well,  there  were  seven  brothers.  The  first  took 
a  wife  and  died  childless.  The  second  and  the  third  and  the 
rest  of  the  seven  took  her  and  died  leaving  no  children.  Finally 


140 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


the  woman  also  died.  Now  this  woman  —  whose  wife  will  she 
be  at  the  resurrection?  For  she  was  wife  to  the  seven.,,  Jesus 
said  to  them,  “The  children  of  this  world  marry  and  are  mar¬ 
ried,  but  those  who  are  judged  worthy  to  reach  that  world  and 
the  resurrection  of  the  dead  neither  marry  nor  are  married, 
neither  can  they  die,  for  they  are  like  angels  and  are  children  of 
God,  since  they  are  children  of  the  resurrection.  But  that  the 
dead  rise  Moses  has  made  known  in  the  passage  regarding  the 
Bush  where  he  calls  the  Lord  ‘the  God  of  Abraham  and  the 
God  of  Isaac  and  the  God  of  Jacob.’  He  is  not  a  God  of  dead 
men,  but  of  living  men.  For  all  are  alive  to  him.”  Some  of  the 
scribes  answered  him,  “Teacher,  you  have  spoken  well.”  And 
they  no  longer  dared  to  ask  him  anything. 

He  said  to  them,  “How  do  they  say  that  the  Christ  is  the 
son  of  David?  David  himself  says  in  the  book  of  Psalms,  ‘The 
Lord  said  to  my  Lord,  Sit  at  my  right  until  I  make  your 
enemies  your  footstool.’  So  David  calls  him  ‘Lord’;  how  is  he 
then  his  son?” 

While  all  the  people  were  listening,  he  said  to  the  disciples, 
“Beware  of  the  scribes,  who  like  to  walk  in  long  robes  and  love 
salutations  in  the  market-places  and  front  seats  in  the  syna¬ 
gogues  and  the  best  couches  at  dinners,  who  devour  widows’ 
houses  and  in  pretense  make  long  prayers.  These  will  receive 
unusual  condemnation.” 


XXI 

Looking  up,  he  saw  those  who  were  dropping  their  gifts  into 
the  contribution  box,  the  rich  people.  But  he  saw  a  poor 
widow  dropping  in  two  mites,  and  he  said,  “Truly  I  tell  you 
this  widow,  poor  as  she  is,  has  dropped  in  more  than  all.  For 
they  all  out  of  their  abundance  contributed  to  the  gifts,  but 
she  out  of  her  lack  put  in  all  that  she  had  to  live  on.” 

As  some  were  speaking  about  the  Temple  buildings,  how 
they  were  decorated  with  beautiful  stones  and  votive  gifts,  he 
said,  “As  to  these  things  that  you  are  looking  at,  there  will 
come  days  in  which  there  will  not  be  left  one  stone  upon  an¬ 
other  which  will  not  be  thrown  down.”  They  asked  him, 
“Teacher,  when  will  these  things  be?  And  what  will  be  the 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


141 


sign  when  they  are  about  to  happen?”  He  said,  “Be  on  your 
guard  against  being  misled.  For  many  will  come  in  my  name, 
saying,  ‘I  am  he/  and,  ‘The  time  is  at  hand/  Do  not  follow 
them.  And  when  you  hear  of  wars  and  disorders,  do  not  be 
terrified.  For  these  things  must  take  place  first,  but  the  end 
will  not  come  immediately.”  Then  he  said  to  them,  “Nation 
will  rise  against  nation  and  kingdom  against  kingdom,  and 
there  will  be  great  earthquakes  in  various  places,  and  pesti¬ 
lences  and  famines  and  terrors  and  great  portents  from  heaven. 
Before  all  these  things  they  will  lay  their  hands  on  you  and 
persecute  you,  handing  you  over  to  the  synagogues  and  into 
prisons,  dragging  you  before  kings  and  governors  because  of 
my  name.  It  will  turn  out  your  opportunity  for  testimony. 
Settle  it,  then,  in  your  hearts  not  to  prepare1  beforehand  to 
defend  yourselves.  For  I  will  give  you  a  mouth  and  wisdom 
which  all  your  opponents  will  be  unable  to  resist  or  reply  to. 
You  will  be  betrayed  by  parents  and  brothers  and  relatives  and 
friends,  and  some  of  you  will  be  put  to  death  and  you  will  be 
hated  by  all  on  account  of  my  name.  Yet  not  a  hair  of  your 
head  will  perish.  By  your  endurance  you  will  win  your  lives. 

“But  when  you  see  Jerusalem  encircled  by  camps,  then 
knowT  that  her  desolation  is  near.  Then  those  who  are  in  Judsea 
are  to  flee  to  the  mountains,  and  those  in  the  midst  of  it  are  to 
depart,  and  those  in  the  country  places  must  not  come  into  the 
city;  for  these  are  days  of  vengeance,  that  all  the  prophecies  may 
be  fulfilled.  Alas  for  the  women  with  child  and  the  nursing 
mothers  in  those  days!  For  there  will  be  great  distress  on 
earth  and  wrath  upon  this  people,  and  they  will  fall  by  the 
edge  of  the  sword  and  will  be  taken  as  captives  into  all  the 
nations.  And  Jerusalem  will  be  trodden  down  by  the  Gentiles 
until  the  times  of  the  Gentiles  have  gone  by. 

“There  will  be  portents  in  the  sun  and  in  the  moon  and  in 
the  stars,  and  on  earth  distress  of  nations  in  perplexity  at  the 
roar  of  the  sea  and  its  surges,  men  fainting  from  fear  and  fore¬ 
boding  of  what  is  coming  upon  mankind.  For  the  powers  of 
the  heavens  will  be  shaken.  And  then  they  will  see  the  Son  of 
Man  coming  on  a  cloud  with  power  and  great  glory.  When 
these  things  are  beginning  to  happen,  look  up  and  lift  up  your 


142 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


heads,  for  your  liberation  is  drawing  near.”  He  gave  them  an 
illustration:  “See  the  fig  tree,  and  all  the  trees.  When  they  put 
out  leaves,  you  see  for  yourselves  that  summer  is  near.  So, 
too,  when  you  see  these  things  happening,  know  that  the  king¬ 
dom  of  God  is  near.  Truly,  I  tell  you,  this  generation  will  not 
pass  away  before  all  takes  place.  Heaven  and  earth  will  pass 
away,  but  my  words  will  not  pass  away.  Take  care  that  your 
hearts  are  not  dull  through  overeating  and  drinking  and  the 
cares  of  life,  so  that  that  day  may  come  on  you  unexpectedly 
like  a  trap.  For  it  will  come  on  all  who  dwell  on  the  face  of  all 
the  earth.  Be  watchful  at  every  season  in  prayer  that  you  may 
be  able  to  escape  all  these  things  that  will  happen,  and  to  stand 
before  the  Son  of  Man.” 

During  the  days  he  continued  to  teach  in  the  Temple  courts, 
but  every  night  he  went  out  and  stayed  on  the  mount  called 
Olive  Orchard.  All  the  people  came  early  every  morning  to 
him  in  the  Temple  courts  to  listen  to  him. 

XXII 

The  Feast  of  Unleavened  Bread,  which  is  called  the  Passover, 
was  approaching.  The  high  priests  and  the  scribes  were  intent 
upon  finding  some  way  to  destroy  Jesus;  for  they  were  afraid 
of  the  people.  But  Satan  entered  into  Judas,  called  Iscariot, 
who  was  of  the  number  of  the  twelve,  and  he  went  away  and 
talked  over  with  the  high  priests  and  officers  how  he  could 
betray  him.  They  were  delighted  and  agreed  to  give  him 
money.  He  promised,  and  was  on  the  lookout  for  an  opportu¬ 
nity  to  betray  him  to  them  when  the  crowd  was  not  with  him. 

The  day  of  unleavened  bread  came,  when  the  Passover  lamb 
must  be  sacrificed,  and  Jesus  sent  Peter  and  John,  telling  them, 
“Go  and  make  ready  the  Passover  for  us  so  that  we  may  eat 
it.”  They  said  to  him,  “  Where  do  you  wish  us  to  make  ready?  ” 
He  said,  “As  you  are  entering  the  city  a  man  will  meet  you 
carrying  a  pitcher  of  water.  Follow  him  into  the  house  that 
he  enters  and  say  to  the  master  of  the  house,  ‘The  Teacher 
says  to  you,  Where  is  the  dining  room  where  I  am  to  eat  the 
Passover  with  my  disciples? ,  And  he  will  show  you  an  upper 
room,  large  and  furnished.  There  make  ready.”  They  went 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


143 


away  and  found  everything  just  as  he  had  said,  and  they  pre¬ 
pared  the  Passover.  When  the  hour  came,  he  reclined  at  table 
and  the  apostles  with  him.  He  said  to  them,  “I  have  strongly 
desired  to  eat  this  Passover  with  you  before  I  suffer.  For,  I 
tell  you,  I  shall  not  eat  it  again  until  it  is  fulfilled  in  the  king¬ 
dom  of  God.”  He  took  a  cup  and  gave  thanks  and  said, 
“  Take  this  and  share  it  among  yourselves.  For,  I  say  to  you, 
I  shall  not  again  drink  of  the  fruit  of  the  vine  until  the  king¬ 
dom  of  God  comes.”  Then  he  took  a  loaf  and  gave  thanks 
and  broke  it  and  gave  it  to  them,  saying,  “This  is  my  body 
which  is  given  for  you.  Do  this  in  memory  of  me.”  He  took 
the  cup  in  the  same  manner  after  supper,  saying,  “This  cup  is 
the  new  covenant  in  my  blood,  which  is  shed  for  you.  But,  see, 
the  hand  of  the  traitor  is  with  me  on  the  table!  The  Son  of 
Man  is  going,  as  it  is  appointed,  but  alas  for  that  man  by  whom 
he  is  betrayed!”  They  began  to  question  among  themselves 
which  of  them  it  could  be  who  was  going  to  do  this.  There  was 
also  a  dispute  among  them  as  to  which  of  them  should  be 
regarded  as  superior.  He  said  to  them,  “The  kings  of  the 
Gentiles  lord  it  over  them,  and  those  of  them  who  exercise 
authority  are  called  benefactors.  But  you  are  not  to  be  so.  The 
greatest  among  you  is  to  be  like  the  youngest  and  the  leader 
like  him  who  serves.  For  which  is  superior,  he  who  reclines  at 
table  or  he  who  serves?  Is  not  he  who  reclines?  But  I  am  in 
the  midst  of  you  as  the  one  who  serves.  You  are  those  who 
have  stood  by  me  in  my  trials  and  I  will  assign  to  you,  as  my 
Father  has  assigned  to  me,  a  kingdom,  that  you  may  eat  and 
drink  at  my  table  in  my  kingdom.  You  shall  sit  on  thrones 
judging  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel.  Simon,  Simon,  Satan  has 
begged  to  be  allowed  to  sift  all  of  you  like  wheat.  But  I  have 
prayed  for  thee  that  thy  faith  may  not  fail.  And  when  you 
come  back  to  yourself,  strengthen  your  brothers.”  Peter  said 
to  him,  “Master,  I  am  ready  to  go  with  you  to  prison  and  to 
death.”  Jesus  said,  “I  tell  you,  Peter,  the  cock  will  not  crow 
to-day  before  you  three  times  deny  that  you  know  me.” 

He  said  to  them,  “When  I  sent  you  out  without  purse  or 
bag  or  shoes,  did  you  lack  for  anything?”  They  said,  “We 
lacked  for  nothing.”  He  said  to  them,  “But  now  whoever  has 


144 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


a  purse  must  take  it,  and  so  with  a  bag,  and  he  who  has  no 
sword  must  sell  his  cloak  and  buy  one.  For  I  tell  you  that  the 
prophecy  must  be  fulfilled  in  me  —  the  prophecy,  ‘  He  was 
numbered  among  the  lawless.’  For  what  concerns  me  is  coming 
to  an  end.”  They  said,  “Master,  here  are  two  swords.”  He 
said  to  them,  “That  is  enough.” 

He  went  out  and  made  his  way,  according  to  his  custom,  to 
the  Mount  of  Olives,  and  the  disciples  followed  him.  When  he 
came  to  the  place,  he  said  to  them,  “Pray  not  to  enter  into 
temptation.”  He  parted  from  them  about  a  stone’s  throw 
and  kneeled  down  and  prayed,  “Father,  if  thou  wilt,  take 
away  this  cup  from  me.  Yet  not  my  will,  but  thine,  be  done.” 
An  angel  from  heaven  appeared  to  him  strengthening  him. 
Being  in  agony,  he  prayed  more  earnestly,  and  his  sweat  be¬ 
came  like  great  drops  of  blood  falling  upon  the  ground.  Then 
he  rose  from  prayer  and  came  to  the  disciples  and  found  them 
sleeping  from  sorrow.  He  said  to  them,  “Why  are  you  sleep¬ 
ing?  Rise  and  pray  that  you  may  not  enter  into  temptation.” 

(  While  he  was  still  speaking  there  came  a  crowd,  and  he 
who  was  called  Judas,  one  of  the  twelve,  was  leading  them. 
He  came  up  to  Jesus  to  kiss  him.  Jesus  said  to  him,  “Judas,  is 
it  with  a  kiss  that  you  betray  the  Son  of  Man?”  Those  about 
Jesus,  seeing  what  was  going  to  happen,  said,  “Master,  shall 
we  strike  with  the  sword?”  One  of  them  did  strike  the  High 
Priest’s  servant  and  cut  off  his  right  ear.  But  Jesus  said,  “Let 
me  at  least  do  this,”  and  he  touched  his  ear  and  healed  it. 
Jesus  said  to  the  high  priests  and  officers  of  the  Temple  and 
elders  who  had  come  out  against  him,  “You  come  out  with 
swords  and  clubs,  just  as  if  after  a  robber.  In  the  daytime 
while  I  was  with  you  in  the  Temple  courts  you  did  not  stretch 
out  your  hands  to  take  me.  But  this  is  your  hour  and  the  power 
of  darkness.” 

After  arresting  him  they  led  him  away  and  brought  him  into 
the  house  of  the  High  Priest.  Peter  followed  at  a  distance. 
They  lighted  a  fire  in  the  center  of  the  court  and  seated  them¬ 
selves  around  it,  and  Peter  seated  himself  in  the  midst  of  them. 
A  maid  saw  him  sitting  near  the  light,  and,  looking  hard  at 
him,  said,  “This  man  was  with  him  too.”  But  he  denied, 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


145 


saying,  “Woman,  I  do  not  know  him.”  After  a  short  space 
another  —  a  man  —  saw  him,  and  said,  “You  too  are  one  of 
them.”  But  Peter  said,  “Man,  I  am  not.”  About  an  hour 
later,  another  man  asserted  positively,  “Truly  this  man  was 
with  him  too,  for  he  is  a  Galilaean.”  But  Peter  said,  “Man,  I 
do  not  know  what  you  are  talking  about.”  Immediately 
while  he  was  speaking  the  cock  crew,  and  the  Master  turned 
and  looked  at  Peter,  and  Peter  remembered  the  word  of  the 
Master,  how  he  had  said  to  him,  “Before  the  cock  crows  to-day 
you  will  disown  me  three  times.”  And  he  went  out  and  wept 
bitterly. 

The  men  who  had  arrested  Jesus  made  sport  of  him,  beating 
him,  and,  after  blindfolding  him,  they  asked  him,  “Prophesy 
who  it  is  that  struck  you.”  Many  other  insulting  words  they 
said  to  him. 

When  daylight  came,  the  eldership  of  the  people  assembled, 
both  high  priests  and  scribes,  and  they  led  him  to  their  council, 
saying,  “If  you  are  the  Christ,  tell  us.”  He  said  to  them,  “If  I 
tell  you,  you  will  not  believe.  If  I  question  you,  you  will  not 
answer.  But  from  this  time  the  Son  of  Man  will  be  seated  at 
the  powerful  right  hand  of  God.”  They  all  said,  “You  then  are 
the  Son  of  God?”  He  said  to  them,  “I  am  what  you  say.” 
They  said,  “Why  do  we  need  anymore  testimony?  For  we 
ourselves  have  heard  it  from  his  own  mouth.” 

XXIII 

Then  the  whole  assemblage  arose  and  led  him  to  Pilate.  They 
began  accusing  him,  saying,  “We  have  found  this  man  cor¬ 
rupting  our  nation  and  opposing  the  payment  of  tribute  to 
Caesar  and  saying  that  he  himself  is  Christ  a  king.”  Pilate 
asked  him,  “Are  you  the  king  of  the  Jews?”  Jesus  answered 
him,  “I  am.”  Pilate  said  to  the  high  priests  and  the  crowd, 
“I  find  nothing  criminal  in  this  man.”  But  they  were  violent 
in  saying,  “He  stirs  up  the  people,  teaching  through  the  whole 
of  Judaea.  Starting  in  Galilee,  he  is  now  here.”  Pilate,  on 
hearing  of  Galilee,  asked  if  the  man  was  a  Galilaean,  and  when 
he  learned  that  he  was  of  Herod’s  jurisdiction  he  sent  him  to 
Herod,  who  was  himself  also  in  Jerusalem  during  those  days. 


146 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


Herod  on  seeing  Jesus  was  much  pleased  because  for  a  long 
time  he  had  been  anxious  to  see  him  on  account  of  hearing 
about  him,  and  he  was  hoping  to  see  some  miracle  don&  by 
him.  He  questioned  him  with  many  words;  but  Jesus  gave 
him  no  answer.  The  high  priests  and  the  scribes  stood  and 
vehemently  accused  him.  Herod  along  with  his  soldiers  treated 
him  with  contempt  and  after  making  sport  of  him  and  putting 
a  gorgeous  robe  on  him,  sent  him  back  to  Pilate.  So  Herod  and 
Pilate  became  friends  with  each  other  that  day.  Previously 
they  had  been  at  enmity. 

Pilate  called  together  the  high  priests  and  the  rulers  and  the 
people  and  said  to  them,  “You  have  brought  before  me  this 
man  as  one  who  misguides  the  people,  and  yet  I,  in  examining 
him  before  you,  have  found  in  this  man  not  one  criminal  thing 
of  all  that  you  charge  against  him.  No  more  has  Herod;  for 
he  has  sent  him  back  to  us.  See,  nothing  deserving  of  death 
has  been  done  by  him.  So  I  will  scourge  him  and  release  him.” 
But  the  whole  crowd  cried  out  together,  “Put  him  out  of  the 
way  and  free  Barabbas  for  us!”  (Barabbas,  on  account  of  a 
riot  that  had  occurred  in  the  city  and  for  murder,  had  been 
thrown  into  prison.)  Again  Pilate  spoke  to  them,  wishing  to 
release  Jesus.  But  they  shouted,  “Crucify  him,  crucify  him!” 
For  the  third  time  he  said  to  them,  “  What  wrong  has  he  done? 
I  have  found  nothing  criminal  in  him.  I  will  therefore  scourge 
him  and  let  him  go.”  But  they  insisted  with  loud  voices  asking 
to  have  him  crucified,  and  their  voices  prevailed.  So  Pilate 
gave  sentence  that  what  they  asked  should  be  done.  He  freed 
the  man  who  for  riot  and  murder  had  been  thrown  into  prison 
—  the  man  they  asked  for;  but  Jesus  he  handed  over  to  their 
will. 

As  they  led  him  away,  they  took  hold  of  Simon,  a  Cyrenian 
coming  from  the  country,  and  laid  on  him  the  cross  to  bear 
behind  Jesus.  There  followed  him  a  great  crowd  of  people  and 
of  women  who  were  beating  their  breasts  and  bewailing  him. 
Jesus  turned  and  said  to  them,  “Daughters  of  Jerusalem,  do 
not  weep  for  me;  but  weep  for  yourselves  and  for  your  children. 
For  days  are  coming  in  which  they  will  say,  ‘Blessed  are  the 
barren  and  the  wombs  that  never  bore  and  the  breasts  that 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


147 


never  nursed  a  babe!*  Then  they  will  begin  and  say  to  the 
mountains,  ‘Fall  on  us!’  and  to  the  hills,  ‘Hide  us!’  For  if 
they  do  these  things  in  the  green  tree,  what  will  happen  in  the 
dry?” 

There  were  also  two  others,  criminals,  led  with  him  to  be 
put  to  death. 

When  they  came  to  the  place  called  Skull,  there  they  cruci¬ 
fied  him  and  the  criminals,  one  on  his  right  and  one  on  his  left. 
Jesus  said,  “Father,  forgive  them;  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do.”  They  divided  his  clothes  by  casting  lots.  The 
people  stood  looking  on.  The  rulers  scoffed  at  him,  saying, 
“He  saved  others;  let  him  save  himself,  if  he  is  the  Christ  of 
God,  the  Chosen.”  The  soldiers  made  sport  of  him,  coming  up 
and  offering  him  sour  wine  and  saying,  “  If  you  are  the  King  of 
the  Jews,  save  yourself!”  There  was  a  writing  over  him, 

THIS  IS  THE  KING  OF  THE  JEWS 

One  of  the  criminals  who  were  crucified  insulted  him,  “Are 
you  not  the  Christ?  Save  yourself  and  us.”  But  the  other 
rebuked  him  and  said,  “Have  you  no  fear  of  God,  since  you 
are  under  the  same  sentence?  And  we  are  here  justly,  for  we 
are  receiving  our  due  for  our  deeds.  But  this  man  has  done 
nothing  wrong.”  Then  he  said,  “Jesus,  remember  me  when 
you  come  into  your  kingdom.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “I  tell  you 
truly  to-day  you  will  be  with  me  in  Paradise.” 

It  was  now  about  noon,  and  darkness  came  over  all  the  land 
until  three,  the  sun  being  eclipsed.  And  the  curtain  in  the 
Temple  was  torn  in  the  middle.  Then  Jesus  said  in  a  loud 
voice,  “Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commit  my  spirit.”  After 
saying  this,  he  breathed  his  last.  When  the  Centurion  saw 
what  had  happened,  he  gave  glory  to  God,  saying,  “Certainly 
this  was  an  upright  man!”  And  all  the  crowds  that  had  stood 
by  looking  on  the  scene,  after  seeing  what  happened,  turned 
away  beating  their  breasts.  All  his  acquaintances  and  the 
women  who  had  followed  him  from  Galilee  were  standing  at  a 
distance  looking  on. 

There  was  a  man  named  Joseph,  a  member  of  the  Council,  a 
good  and  upright  man  who  had  not  participated  in  their 


148 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


plan  and  action.  He  was  of  Arimathsea,  a  city  of  the  Judaeans, 
and  was  looking  for  the  kingdom  of  God.  This  man  went  to 
Pilate  and  asked  for  the  body  of  Jesus.  He  took  it  down  and 
wrapped  it  in  fine  linen  and  laid  him  in  a  tomb  cut  in  the  rock 
where  no  one  was  yet  lying.  It  was  the  day  of  Preparation  and 
the  Sabbath  was  about  to  begin.  The  women  who  had  come 
with  Jesus  from  Galilee  followed  along  and  saw  the  tomb  and 
how  his  body  was  laid,  and  they  went  back  and  prepared 
perfumes  and  ointments.  On  the  Sabbath  they  abstained 
from  work  according  to  the  commandment. 

XXIV 

But  on  the  first  day  of  the  week  at  early  dawn  they  came  to 
the  tomb,  bringing  the  perfumes  which  they  had  prepared. 
They  found  the  stone  rolled  away  from  the  tomb,  and  on 
entering  they  did  not  find  the  body  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  While 
they  were  at  a  loss  about  this,  suddenly  two  men  in  glittering 
robes  stood  beside  them.  They  were  frightened  and  bowed 
their  faces  to  the  ground,  but  the  men  said  to  them,  “  Why  are 
you  looking  for  the  living  among  the  dead?  He  is  not  here,  but 
has  risen.  Remember  how  he  told  you  while  he  was  still  in 
Galilee  that  the  Son  of  Man  must  be  betrayed  into  the  hands  of 
sinful  men  and  be  crucified  and  rise  on  the  third  day.”  Then 
they  remembered  his  words  and  turned  back  from  the  tomb 
and  told  all  this  to  the  eleven  and  all  the  rest.  It  was  Mary 
Magdalene  and  Joanna  and  Mary  the  mother  of  James.  The 
other  women  with  them  also  told  these  things  to  the  apostles. 
But  these  reports  seemed  in  their  eyes  like  idle  talk.  They  did 
not  believe  the  women.  But  Peter  rose  and  ran  to  the  tomb 
and  stooping  down  he  saw  nothing  but  the  linen  cloths,  and  he 
went  away  to  his  place  wondering  at  what  had  happened. 

On  that  day  two  of  them  were  going  to  a  village  named 
Emmaus,  seven  miles  distant  from  Jerusalem,  and  they  were 
talking  to  each  other  about  all  these  occurrences.  It  happened 
as  they  talked  and  discussed  that  Jesus  himself  drew  near  and 
walked  along  with  them.  But  their  eyes  were  restrained  from 
recognizing  him.  He  said  to  them,  “What  are  these  matters 
that  you  are  debating  with  each  other  as  you  walk?”  They 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


149 


stood  still  with  sad  faces.  One  of  them,  named  Cleopas,  said 
to  him,  “Are  you  a  stranger  living  alone  in  Jerusalem  and  do 
you  not  know  the  things  that  have  happened  there  in  recent 
days?75  He  said  to  them,  “What  things?”  They  said  to  him, 
“The  things  about  Jesus  the  Nazarene,  who  was  a  prophet 
powerful  in  deed  and  word  before  God  and  all  the  people  — • 
how  our  high  priests  and  leading  men  handed  him  over  to  be 
condemned  to  death  and  crucified  him.  But  we  were  hoping 
that  he  was  the  one  who  was  to  redeem  Israel.  But  now,  how¬ 
ever,  the  third  day  is  passing  since  these  things  took  place. 
Yet  some  women  from  our  company  amazed  us.  They  went  at 
dawn  to  the  tomb  and  did  not  find  his  body,  but  came  back 
saying  that  they  had  seen  a  vision  of  angels  who  said  that  he 
was  alive.  Some  of  our  company  went  out  to  the  tomb  and 
found  things  as  the  women  had  said,  but  they  did  not  see  him. 55 
Jesus  said  to  them,  “O  men  lacking  insight  and  slow  in  heart 
to  believe  all  that  the  prophets  spoke !  Did  not  the  Christ  have 
to  suffer  these  things  and  enter  into  his  glory?”  Then,  begin¬ 
ning  with  Moses  and  all  the  prophets,  he  interpreted  to  them 
in  all  the  Scriptures  the  things  about  himself.  They  drew  near 
to  the  village  where  they  were  going  and  he  acted  as  if  he  were 
going  on.  But  they  urged  him,  saying,  “Stay  with  us,  for  it  is 
toward  evening  and  the  sun  is  already  low.5 5  So  he  went  in  to 
stay  with  them.  As  he  reclined  at  table  with  them,  he  took  the 
bread  and  blessed  it  and  broke  it  and  gave  it  to  them.  And 
their  eyes  were  opened  and  they  recognized  him;  but  he  van¬ 
ished  from  their  sight.  They  said  to  each  other,  “  Were  not  our 
hearts  burning  within  us  when  he  was  talking  to  us  on  the 
road  and  was  explaining  the  Scriptures  to  us?57 

Then,  rising  that  very  hour,  they  returned  to  Jerusalem  and 
found  the  eleven  and  their  associates  assembled  and  saying, 
“Really  the  Lord  has  risen  and  he  has  appeared  to  Simon.” 
They  then  narrated  what  had  happened  on  the  road  and  how 
they  knew  him  by  his  breaking  the  bread. 

While  they  were  talking  of  these  things,  Jesus  himself  stood 
in  the  midst  of  them  and  said  to  them,  “Peace  be  with  you!77 
They  were  terrified  and  much  alarmed,  and  thought  that  they 
were  seeing  a  spirit.  But  he  said  to  them,  “Why  are  you 


150 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  LUKE 


troubled?  And  why  do  doubts  arise  in  your  hearts?  See  my 
hands  and  my  feet  —  that  it  is  I  myself.  Feel  me  and  see,  for  a 
spirit  does  not  have  flesh  and  bones  as  you  see  me  having.” 
Saying  this,  he  showed  them  his  hands  and  his  feet.  While 
they  still  were  doubting  for  joy  and  wondering,  he  said  to 
them,  “Have  you  anything  here  to  eat?”  They  gave  him  a 
piece  of  broiled  fish,  and  he  took  it  and  ate  before  them.  He 
said  to  them,  “This  is  what  I  said  to  you  while  I  was  still 
with  you,  that  all  the  things  written  in  the  Law  of  Moses  and 
in  the  Prophets  and  Psalms  about  me  must  be  fulfilled.” 
Then  he  opened  their  minds  to  understand  the  Scriptures,  and 
he  said  to  them,  “Thus  it  is  written  that  the  Christ  is  to  suffer 
and  rise  from  the  dead  on  the  third  day,  and  in  his  name 
change  of  heart  for  forgiveness  of  sins  is  to  be  proclaimed  to  all 
the  nations,  beginning  at  Jerusalem.  You  are  witnesses  of 
these  things.  And,  see,  I  am  sending  upon  you  the  promise  of 
my  Father.  But  you  are  to  stay  in  the  city  until  you  are 
clothed  with  power  from  on  high.” 

He  led  them  out  as  far  as  Bethany  and  lifted  up  his  hands 
and  blessed  them.  While  he  was  blessing  them  he  parted  from 
them  and  was  carried  up  into  heaven.  They  bowed  down  be¬ 
fore  him  and  returned  to  Jerusalem  with  great  joy,  and  were 
constantly  in  the  Temple  courts  blessing  God. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


i 

In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with  God, 
and  the  Word  was  God.  He  was  in  the  beginning  with  God. 
All  things  came  into  being  through  him,  and  apart  from  him 
not  one  thing  came  into  being  that  has  come  into  being.  In 
him  was  Life,  and  the  Life  was  the  Light  of  men.  And  the 
Light  shone  in  the  darkness,  but  the  darkness  did  not  under¬ 
stand  it. 

There  came  a  man,  sent  from  God.  His  name  was  John.  He 
came  for  testimony,  to  testify  about  the  Light,  that  all  might 
believe  through  him.  He  was  not  the  Light,  but  he  came  to 
testify  about  the  Light.  The  true  Light,  which  enlightens 
every  man,  was  coming  into  the  world.  He  was  in  the  world, 
and  the  world  had  come  into  being  through  him,  yet  the  world 
did  not  know  him.  He  came  to  his  own  things,  but  his  own 
men  did  not  receive  him.  All  who  received  him  —  to  them  he 
gave  power  to  become  children  of  God,  to  those  who  believe 
in  his  name,  who  were  born  not  of  blood  nor  of  the  will  of 
flesh  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God. 

The  Word  became  flesh  and  tented  among  us,  and  we  looked 
upon  his  glory,  glory  as  of  an  only  son  from  a  father,  full  of 
grace  and  truth. 

John  bore  witness  to  him  and  cried,  “This  was  he  of  whom 
I  said,  fHe  who  comes  after  me  has  become  before  me,  for  he 
was  before  me.'’'  For  of  his  fullness  we  all  have  received,  and 
grace  for  grace.  For  the  law  was  given  through  Moses;  grace 
and  truth  came  through  Jesus  Christ.  No  one  has  ever  seen 
God;  God  the  only  Son,  who  is  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father,  he 
has  interpreted  him. 

This  is  the  testimony  of  John  when  the  Jews  of  Jerusalem 
sent  to  him  priests  and  Levites  to  ask  him,  “Who  are  you?” 
He  confessed  and  did  not  deny,  but  confessed,  “I  am  not  the 
Christ.”  They  asked  him,  “What  then?^  Are  you  Elijah?”  He 


152 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


said,  “I  am  not.”  “Are  you  the  prophet?”  He  answered, 
“No.”  They  said  then,  “Who  are  you?  Let  us  have  an  an¬ 
swer  to  give  to  those  who  sent  us.  What  do  you  say  about 
yourself?”  He  said,  “I  am  ‘the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wil¬ 
derness,  Make  straight  the  way  of  the  Lord/  as  Isaiah  the 
prophet  said.”  The  men  had  been  sent  from  the  Pharisees. 
They  asked  him,  “Why  then  do  you  baptize,  if  you  are  not 
the  Christ  nor  Elijah  nor  the  prophet?”  John  answered  them, 
“I  baptize  with  water.  In  the  midst  of  you  stands  one  whom 
you  do  not  know  —  the  One  who  is  coming  after  me  —  for 
whom  I  am  not  worthy  to  loosen  the  strap  of  his  sandal.” 
This  happened  in  Bethany  beyond  the  Jordan,  where  John 
was  baptizing. 

The  next  day  John  saw  Jesus  coming  toward  him,  and  said, 
“Behold,  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  takes  away  the  sin  of  the 
world!  This  is  he  of  whom  I  said,  ‘After  me  comes  a  man  who 
has  become  before  me,  for  he  was  before  me.’  I  did  not  know 
him,  but  I  knew  that  he  was  to  be  shown  to  Israel.  For  that 
reason  I  came  baptizing  with  water.”  John  bore  witness,  “I 
saw  the  Spirit  descending  like  a  dove  from  heaven  and  it 
remained  on  him.  I  did  not  know  him,  but  he  who  sent  me  to 
baptize  with  water  —  he  said  to  me,  ‘He  on  whom  you  see 
the  Spirit  descending  and  remaining,  that  is  he  who  baptizes 
with  the  Holy  Spirit/  And  I  saw  it  and  have  borne  witness 
that  this  is  the  Son  of  God.” 

Again  on  the  next  day  John  was  standing  with  two  of  his 
disciples,  and,  looking  at  Jesus  as  he  walked,  he  said,  “Behold, 
the  Lamb  of  God!”  The  two  disciples  heard  him  say  this  and 
they  followed  Jesus.  Jesus  turned  and  looked  at  them  as  they 
followed,  and  said  to  them,  “What  do  you  wish?”  They  said 
to  him,  “Rabbi  (which  means,  when  translated,  Teacher), 
where  are  you  staying?”  He  said  to  them,  “Come  and  see.” 
So  they  came  and  saw  where  he  was  staying,  and  stayed 
with  him  that  day.  It  was  then  about  four  in  the  afternoon. 

Andrew,  the  brother  of  Simon  Peter,  was  one  of  the  two  that 
heard  about  Jesus  from  John  and  followed  him.  He  found 
first  his  own  brother  Simon  and  said  to  him,  “We  have  found 
the  Messiah  (which  means,  when  translated,  the  Christ)!”  He 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


153 


led  him  to  Jesus.  Looking  at  him,  Jesus  said,  “  You  are  Simon, 
the  son  of  John.  You  shall  be  called  Cephas”  (which  is  in 
Greek,  Peter,  that  is,  Rock). 

On  the  next  day  Jesus  decided  to  go  away  to  Galilee,  and  he 
found  Philip  and  said  to  him,  “  Follow  me.”  Philip  was  of 
Bethsaida,  the  city  of  Andrew  and  Peter.  Philip  found  Na¬ 
thanael  and  said  to  him,  “We  have  found  him  of  whom  Moses 
wrote  in  the  Law  and  of  whom  the  prophets  wrote  —  Jesus 
the  son  of  Joseph,  from  Nazareth.”  Nathanael  said  to  him, 
“From  Nazareth  can  there  be  anything  good?”  Philip  said  to 
him,  “Come  and  see.”  Jesus  saw  Nathanael  coming  to  him,  and 
said,  “See,  here  is  a  true  Israelite  in  whom  there  is  no  deceit.” 
Nathanael  said  to  him,  “How  do  you  know  me?”  Jesus  an¬ 
swered  him,  “Before  Philip  called  you,  when  you  were  under 
the  fig  tree,  I  saw  you.”  Nathanael  answered  him,  “Rabbi,  you 
are  the  Son  of  God;  you  are  the  King  of  Israel!”  Jesus  an¬ 
swered  him,  “Because  I  said  to  you,  ‘I  saw  you  underneath 
the  fig  tree/  do  you  believe?  You  will  see  greater  things  than 
this.”  He  added,  “Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you  you  will  see  heaven 
opened  and  the  angels  of  God  ascending  and  descending  upon 
the  Son  of  Man.” 


II 

On  the  third  day  a  wedding  took  place  in  Cana  of  Galilee,  and 
the  mother  of  Jesus  was  there.  Jesus  also  was  invited,  with  his 
disciples,  to  the  wedding.  When  the  wine  ran  short,  Jesus’ 
mother  said  to  him,  “They  have  no  wine.”  Jesus  said  to  her, 
“What  have  you  to  do  with  my  work,  woman?  My  hour  has 
not  yet  come.”  His  mother  said  to  the  servants,  “Whatever  he 
tells  you,  do  it.”  There  were  standing  there  six  stone  water 
jars  in  accordance  with  the  Jewish  custom  of  purification, 
holding  about  twenty  or  thirty  gallons  apiece.  Jesus  said  to 
them,  “Fill  the  jars  with  water.”  They  filled  them  to  the 
brim.  Then  he  said  to  them,  “Dip  out  now  and  carry  it  to  the 
Master  of  the  feast.”  They  carried  it,  and  when  the  Master 
of  the  feast  tasted  the  water  that  had  become  wine,  not  know¬ 
ing  where  it  came  from  —  though  the  servants  who  had  dipped 
out  the  water  knew  —  he  called  to  the  bridegroom  and  said  to 


154 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


him,  “Every  man  sets  on  first  the  fine  wine,  and  when  they 
have  drunk  freely  he  sets  on  the  poorer.  You  have  kept  the 
fine  wine  till  now.”  This  beginning  of  signs  Jesus  did  in  Cana 
in  Galilee  and  displayed  his  glory,  and  his  disciples  believed  in 
him. 

After  this  Jesus  went  down  to  Capernaum,  he  and  his 
mother  and  his  brothers  and  his  disciples,  and  there  they 
stayed  a  few  days. 

The  Passover  of  the  Jews  was  near,  and  Jesus  went  up  to 
Jerusalem.  Finding  in  the  Temple  courts  the  sellers  of  cattle 
and  sheep  and  doves  and  the  money-changers  sitting  there, 
he  made  a  whip  of  cords  and  drove  them  all  from  the 
courts  —  all  the  sheep  and  the  cattle,  —  and  he  poured  out 
the  small  coins  of  the  money-changers  and  overturned  their 
tables.  He  said  to  those  who  were  selling  doves,  “Take  these 
things  out.  Do  not  make  my  Father's  house  a  house  of  trade.” 
His  disciples  remembered  that  it  was  written,  “Zeal  for  thy 
house  will  devour  me.”  The  Jews  said  to  him,  “  What  sign  do 
you  show  us,  since  you  act  in  this  way?”  Jesus  answered 
them,  “Demolish  this  Temple  and  in  three  days  I  will  raise  it 
again.”  The  Jews  said,  “It  took  forty-six  years  to  build  this 
Temple,  and  will  you  raise  it  in  three  days?”  But  he  was 
speaking  of  the  temple  of  his  body.  So  when  he  arose  from 
the  dead  his  disciples  remembered  that  he  had  said  this, 
and  they  believed  the  Scripture  and  the  word  that  Jesus  had 
spoken. 

When  he  was  in  Jerusalem  at  the  Feast  of  the  Passover, 
many  believed  in  his  name,  seeing  his  signs  that  he  did,  but 
Jesus  did  not  trust  himself  to  them  because  he  knew  all  men 
and  had  no  need  for  any  one  to  inform  him  about  man,  for  he 
knew  what  was  in  man. 


Ill 

There  was  a  man  of  the  Pharisees,  Nicodemus  by  name,  a 
ruler  of  the  Jews.  This  man  came  to  Jesus  one  night  and  said 
to  him,  “Rabbi,  we  know  that  you  have  come  from  God  as  a 
teacher;  for  no  one  can  do  these  signs  that  you  are  doing  unless 
God  is  with  him.”  Jesus  answered,  “Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you, 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


155 


unless  a  man  is  born  from  above  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of 
God.”  Nicodemus  said  to  him,  “How  can  a  man  be  born 
when  he  is  old?  Can  he  enter  into  his  mother’s  womb  a  second 
time  and  be  born?”  Jesus  answered,  “Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you, 
unless  a  man  is  born  of  water  and  the  Spirit  he  cannot  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God.  What  is  born  of  the  flesh  ■is  flesh,  and 
what  is  born  of  the  Spirit  is  spirit.  Do  not  wonder  that  I  said, 

1  You  must  be  born  from  above.’  The  wind  blows  where  it  will, 
and  you  hear  the  sound  of  it,  but  you  do  not  know  whence  it 
pomes  or  whither  it  goes.  So  is  every  one  who  is  born  of  the 
Spirit.”  Nicodemus  answered  him,  “How  can  these  things 
be?”  Jesus  answered  him,  “You  are  the  teacher  of  Israel,  and 
do  you  not  know  these  things?  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  we  are 
speaking  of  what  we  know,  and  we  are  witnessing  to  what  we 
have  seen,  and  you  do  not  accept  our  testimony.  If  I  have  told 
you  earthly  things  and  you  do  not  believe,  how  will  you  believe 
if  1  tell  you  heavenly  things?  No  one  has  ascended  into  heaven 
but  he  who  descended  from  heaven  —  the  Son  of  Man.  As 
Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the  desert,  so  must  the  Son  of 
Man  be  lifted  up,  that  every  one  who  believes  in  him  may  have 
life  eternal.” 

For  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  Son 
that  every  one  who  believes  in  him  may  not  perish,  but  have 
life  eternal.  For  God  did  not  send  his  Son  into  the  world  to 
judge  the  world,  but  that  the  world  might  be  saved  through 
him.  He  who  believes  in  him  is  not  condemned.  He  who  does 
not  believe  has  been  already  condemned,  because  he  has  not 
believed  in  the  name  of  the  only  Son  of  God.  This  is  the  con¬ 
demnation,  that  Light  has  come  into  the  world  and  men  have 
loved  darkness  rather  than  Light,  because  their  deeds  were 
wicked.  Every  one  who  is  doing  base  things  hates  the  Light 
and  does  not  come  to  the  Light,  that  his  deeds  may  not  be 
reproved.  But  he  who  is  doing  the  truth  comes  to  the  Light, 
that  it  may  be  plainly  shown  that  his  deeds  have  been  done  in 
union  with  God. 

After  this  Jesus  and  his  disciples  came  into  the  land  of 
Judaea  and  there  he  spent  some  time  with  them  and  baptized. 
John  also  was  baptizing  in  HCnon  near  Salim,  because  there 


156 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


was  abundant  water  there.  People  were  constantly  coming  and 
being  baptized.  For  John  had  not  yet  been  thrown  into  prison. 
There  arose  a  dispute  between  the  disciples  of  John  and  a  Jew 
about  purification.  They  came  to  John  and  said  to  him, 

“  Rabbi,  the  man  who  was  with  you  across  the  Jordan  to 
whom  you  bore  testimony  —  see,  he  is  baptizing  and  all  are ' 
coming  to  him.”  John  answered,  “  A  man  can  assume  nothing 
unless  it  has  been  given  him  from  heaven.  You  yourselves  are 
witnesses  that  I  said,  ‘I  am  not  the  Christ,  but  I  have  been 
sent  before  him/  He  who  has  the  bride  is  the  bridegroom. 
But  the  friend  of  the  bridegroom,  who  stands  and  hears  him, 
rejoices  greatly  at  the  bridegroom’s  voice.  So  this  joy  of  mine 
is  complete.  He  must  increase,  but  I  must  decrease.” 

He  who  comes  from  above  is  above  all.  He  who  is  of  the 
earth  is  of  the  earth  and  he  speaks  of  the  earth.  He  who  comes 
from  heaven  is  above  all.  What  he  has  seen  and  heard,  that  he 
testifies  to,  yet  no  one  accepts  his  testimony.  He  who  accepts 
his  testimony  has  set  his  seal  that  God  is  true.  He  whom  God 
has  sent  speaks  the  word  of  God,  for  he  does  not  give  him  the 
Spirit  by  measure.  The  Father  loves  the  Son  and  has  placed 
all  things  in  his  hand.  He  who  believes  in  the  Son  has  life 
eternal.  He  who  disbelieves  in  the  Son  will  not  see  life,  but 
the  wrath  of  God  abides  upon  him. 

IV 

When  the  Master  knew  that  the  Pharisees  had  heard  that  he 
was  making  and  baptizing  more  disciples  than  John  —  though 
Jesus  himself  was  not  baptizing,  but  his  disciples  —  he  left 
Judaea  and  went  back  again  to  Galilee.  He  had  to  pass  through 
Samaria.  He  came  to  a  city  of  Samaria  called  Sychar,  near 
the  piece  of  land  that  Jacob  gave  to  his  son  Joseph.  Jacob’s 
well  was  there.  Jesus,  weary  from  his  journey,  sat  just  as  he 
was  on  the  well.  It  was  about  noon.  There  came  a  woman  of 
Samaria  to  draw  water.  Jesus  said  to  her,  “Give  me  a  drink.” 
For  his  disciples  had  gone  away  into  the  city  to  buy  food.  The 
Samaritan  woman  said  to  him,  “  How  do  you,  a  Jew,  ask  a  drink 
from  me,  a  Samaritan  woman?”  For  Jews  do  not  associate 
with  Samaritans.  Jesus  answered  her,  “If  you  knew  the  gift  of 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


157 


God  and  who  it  is  that  is  saying  to  you,  ‘Give  me  a  drink/  you 
would  have  asked  him  and  he  would  have  given  you  living 
water. ”  She  said  to  him,  “Sir,  you  have  nothing  to  draw  with 
and  the  well  is  deep.  Where  do  you  get  the  living  water  from? 
Are  you  greater  than  our  father  Jacob,  who  gave  us  the  well 
and  drank  of  it,  himself  and  his  sons  and  his  flocks?  ”  Jesus 
answered  her,  “Every  one  who  drinks  of  this  water  will  thirst 
again.  But  whoever  drinks  of  the  water  that  I  will  give  him  will 
never  thirst,  but  the  water  that  I  will  give  him  will  become  in 
him  a  well  of  water,  flowing  out  into  life  eternal.”  The  woman 
said  to  him,  “Give  me  this  water,  so  that  I  may  not  thirst  nor 
come  all  the  way  here  to  draw.”  He  said  to  her,  “Go  call  your 
husband  and  come  back  here.”  The  woman  answered,  “  I  have 
no  husband.”  Jesus  said  to  her,  “You  say  rightly  that  you 
have  no  husband.  Five  husbands  you  have  had,  and  now  the 
man  you  have  is  not  your  husband.  You  have  told  the  truth 
about  that.”  The  woman  said  to  him,  “Sir,  I  perceive  that 
you  are  a  prophet.  Our  fathers  worshiped  on  this  mountain, 
but  you  say  that  in  Jerusalem  is  the  proper  place  to  worship.” 
Jesus  said  to  her,  “Believe  me,  woman,  the  hour  is  coming 
when  neither  on  this  mountain  nor  in  Jerusalem  will  you 
worship  the  Father.  You  worship  what  you  do  not  know;  we 
worship  what  we  know,  for  salvation  is  from  the  Jews.  But  the 
hour  is  coming  —  yes,  is  now  here  —  when  the  true  worshipers 
will  worship  the  Father  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  For  the  Father 
seeks  for  such  worshipers.  God  is  spirit,  and  those  who  worship 
him  must  worship  in  spirit  and  in  truth.”  The  woman  said  to 
him,  “I  know  that  Messiah  is  coming,  who  is  called  Christ. 
When  he  comes  he  will  tell  us  all  things.”  Jesus  said  to  her, 
“I  am  he,  I  who  am  talking  to  you.” 

Upon  this  came  his  disciples,  and  they  wondered  that  he 
was  talking  with  a  woman.  But  no  one  said,  “What  do  you 
want?”  or,  “Why  are  you  talking  with  her?”  The  woman  left 
her  pitcher  and  went  away  into  the  city  and  said  to  the  peo¬ 
ple,  “  Come,  see  a  man  who  has  told  me  all  that  I  ever  did.  Is 
not  this  the  Christ?”  They  came  out  of  the  city  and  were  on 
the  way  to  him.  In  the  meantime  his  disciples  begged  him, 
“  Rabbi,  eat  something.”  He  said  to  them,  “  I  have  food  to  eat 


158 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


that  you  do  not  know  of.”  The  disciples  said  to  one  another, 
"Can  it  be  that  any  one  has  brought  him  something  to  eat?” 
Jesus  said  to  them,  “My  food  is  to  do  the  will  of  him  who 
sent  me,  and  to  complete  his  work.  Do  you  not  say  that 
there  are  still  four  months  and  then  comes  harvest?  Why,  lift 
up  your  eyes,  I  tell  you,  and  look  on  the  fields,  for  they  are 
white  for  harvest !  Already  the  reaper  is  gaining  wages  and  is 
gathering  a  harvest  for  life  eternal,  that  the  sower  and  the 
reaper  may  rejoice  together.  Here  the  saying  is  true,  that 
‘  One  is  sower  and  another  is  reaper/  I  have  sent  you  to  reap 
what  you  have  not  labored  for.  Others  have  labored  and  you 
have  entered  into  their  labor.” 

From  that  city  many  of  the  Samaritans  believed  in  him  on 
account  of  the  woman’s  testimony,  “He  told  me  all  that  I  ever 
did.”  When  the  Samaritans  came  out  to  him,  they  begged 
him  to  stay  with  them,  and  he  stayed  there  two  days.  Many 
more  believed  on  account  of  his  own  words,  and  they  said  to 
the  woman,  “We  no  longer  believe  because  of  what  you  said, 
for  we  ourselves  have  heard  him  and  we  know  that  this  is  truly 
the  Savior  of  the  World.” 

After  the  two  days  he  went  from  there  into  Galilee.  For 
Jesus  himself  testified  that  a  prophet  has  no  honor  in  his  native 
place.  So  when  he  came  into  Galilee,  the  Galilseans  welcomed 
him  because  they  had  seen  what  he  did  in  Jerusalem  at  the 
feast.  For  they,  too,  had  gone  to  the  feast. 

Pie  came  again  to  Cana  in  Galilee  where  he  had  made  the 
water  wine.  A  certain  royal  officer  was  there  whose  son  was 
sick  in  Capernaum.  This  man  heard  that  Jesus  had  come 
from  Judgea  to  Galilee,  and  he  came  to  him  and  begged  him  to 
come  down  and  heal  his  son,  for  he  was  at  the  point  of  death. 
Jesus  said  to  him,  “Unless  you  see  signs  and  wonders  you  will 
not  believe.”  The  officer  said  to  him,  “Sir,  come  down  before 
my  child  dies.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “Go.  Your  son  is  living.” 
The  man  believed  the  word  that  Jesus  spoke  to  him,  and  went. 
Even  while  he  was  going  down,  his  servants  met  him  with  the 
word  that  his  son  was  living.  He  inquired  of  them  the  hour 
when  he  was  better.  They  said  to  him,  “Yesterday  at  one 
o’clock  the  fever  left  him.”  So  the  father  knew  that  it  was  at 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


159 


that  hour  at  which  Jesus  had  said  to  him,  “  Your  son  is  living,” 
and  he  believed,  himself  and  his  whole  household.  This  is 
the  second  time  that  Jesus  did  a  sign  just  after  coming  from 
Judaea  to  Galilee. 


V 

Aftek  this  there  was  a  feast  of  the  Jews  and  Jesus  went  up  to 
Jerusalem.  There  is  in  Jerusalem  near  the  Sheep  Gate  a  pool 
which  is  called  in  Hebrew  Bethesda.1  Around  it  are  five  colon¬ 
nades.  In  these  lay  a  multitude  of  invalids  —  blind,  lame, 
withered.  There  was  a  man  there  who  had  had  an  infirmity 
thirty-eight  years.  Jesus  saw  this  man  lying  there  and  per¬ 
ceiving  that  he  had  been  there  a  long  time,  he  said  to  him, 
“Do  you  want  to  get  well?,,  The  sick  man  answered  him,  “I 
have  no  man  to  put  me  into  the  pool  when  the  water  is  trou¬ 
bled.  While  I  am  coming,  some  other  man  gets  down  before 
me.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “  Rise,  take  up  your  pallet  and  walk.” 
At  once  the  man  became  well  and  took  up  his  pallet  and  began 
walking.  That  day  was  the  Sabbath.  The  Jews  said  to  the  man 
who  had  been  cured,  “  It  is  the  Sabbath,  and  it  is  not  proper  for 
you  to  carry  your  pallet.”  But  he  answered  them,  “He  who 
made  me  well  —  he  told  me,  ‘Take  up  your  pallet  and  walk/” 
They  asked  him,  “Who  is  the  man  that  told  you,  ‘Take  it  up 
and  walk’?”  The  cured  man  did  not  know  who  it  was.  For 
Jesus  had  taken  himself  away,  a  crowd  being  in  that  place. 
Afterwards  Jesus  found  him  in  the  Temple  court  and  said  to 
him,  “See,  you  have  become  well.  Sin  no  more,  for  some¬ 
thing  worse  might  happen  to  you.”  The  man  went  away  and 
told  the  Jews  that  Jesus  was  the  man  who  had  made  him  well. 
On  this  account  the  Jews  persecuted  Jesus  because  he  did  such 
things  on  the  Sabbath.  He  answered  them,  “My  Father  has 
been  working  until  now,  and  I  am  working.”  On  this  account 
the  Jews  sought  the  more  to  kill  him,  because  he  not  only  kept 
breaking  the  Sabbath,  but  even  spoke  of  God  as  his  own 
Father,  making  himself  equal  with  God. 

1  The  name  means  House  of  Mercy  and  the  popular  belief  was  that  at 
times  an  angel  came  down  and  troubled  the  water,  and  that  whoever  then 
first  stepped  In  was  cured. 


160 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


Jesus  said  to  them,  “  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  the  Son  can  do 
nothing  of  himself;  he  does  only  what  he  sees  the  Father  doing; 
whatever  things  he  does,  those  the  Son  does  likewise.  For  the 
Father  loves  the  Son  and  shows  him  what  he  is  doing,  and 
he  will  show  him  greater  works  than  these  that  you  may 
wonder.  For  as  the  Father  raises  the  dead  and  gives  them  life, 
so  also  the  Son  gives  life  to  whom  he  will.  Neither  does  the 
Father  judge  any  one,  but  he  has  committed  all  judgment  to 
the  Son,  that  all  may  honor  the  Son  just  as  they  honor  the 
Father.  He  who  does  not  honor  the  Son  does  not  honor  the 
Father  who  sent  him.  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  he  who  hears 
my  word  and  believes  him  who  sent  me  has  life  eternal  and 
does  not  come  into  condemnation,  but  has  passed  over  from 
death  into  life.  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you  that  the  hour  is  coming, 
and  is  now  here,  when  the  dead  will  hear  the  voice  of  the  Son  of 
God,  and  those  who  hear  will  live.  For  as  the  Father  has  life  in 
himself,  so  also  he  has  granted  to  the  Son  to  have  life  in  him¬ 
self.  He  has  given  him  authority  to  do  judgment,  because  he  is 
Son  of  Man.  Do  not  wonder  at  this,  because  the  hour  is  com¬ 
ing  in  which  all  who  are  in  the  tombs  will  hear  his  voice  and 
will  come  forth  —  those  who  have  done  good  to  a  resurrection 
of  life  and  those  who  have  done  evil  to  a  resurrection  of  con¬ 
demnation. 

“I  cannot  of  myself  do  anything.  As  I  hear  I  judge  and 
my  judgment  is  just,  because  I  do  not  seek  my  own  will,  but 
the  will  of  him  who  sent  me.  If  I  testify  regarding  myself, 
my  testimony  is  not  true.  There  is  another  who  testifies 
regarding  me  and  I  know  that  the  testimony  that  he  bears 
regarding  me  is  true.  You  sent  to  John  and  he  testified  to  the 
truth,  still  I  do  not  obtain  my  testimony  from  a  man,  but  I  say 
this  that  you  may  be  saved.  He  was  the  burning  and  shining 
light  and  you  were  willing  to  rejoice  for  an  hour  in  his  light. 
But  I  have  testimony  greater  than  John’s.  For  the  works 
which  the  Father  has  granted  to  me  to  accomplish  —  the  very 
works  that  I  do  —  witness  for  me  that  the  Father  has  sent  me. 
The  Father  who  sent  me  —  he  has  witnessed  regarding  me. 
You  have  neither  heard  his  voice  nor  seen  his  form,  and  you 
have  not  his  word  abiding  in  you;  because  you  do  not  believe 


161 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 

him  whom  he  has  sent.  You  search  the  Scriptures  because  you 
think  that  you  have  in  them  life  eternal,  and  it  is  they  that 
testify  of  me,  and  yet  you  will  not  come  to  me  to  have  life.  I 
do  not  accept  honor  from  men,  but  I  know  that  you  have  not 
the  love  of  God  within  you.  I  have  come  in  the  name  of  my 
Father  and  you  do  not  accept  me.  If  another  comes  in  his  own 
name,  you  will  accept  him.  How  can  you  believe,  you  who 
accept  honor  from  one  another  and  do  not  seek  honor  from 
the  only  God?  Do  not  think  that  I  will  accuse  you  to  the 
Father.  You  have  an  accuser,  Moses  in  whom  you  trust. 
If  you  believed  Moses,  you  would  believe  me,  for  he  wrote 
about  me.  But  if  you  do  not  believe  his  writings,  how  will  you 
believe  my  words?” 

VI 

After  this  Jesus  went  away  beyond  the  Lake  of  Galilee  (the 
Lake  of  Tiberias).  A  great  crowd  was  following  him  because 
they  saw  the  signs  that  he  was  doing  upon  those  who  had  in- 
firmities.  Jesus  had  gone  up  on  the  mountain  and  there  he  was 
sitting  with  his  disciples.  It  was  near  the  time  for  the  Passover, 
the  feast  of  the  Jews.  He  lifted  up  his  eyes  and  saw  that  a 
great  crowd  was  coming  to  him,  and  he  said  to  Philip,  “Where 
shall  we  buy  bread  for  these  to  eat?”  This  he  said  to  test  him, 
for  he  himself  knew  what  he  was  going  to  do.  Philip  answered 
him,  “Two  hundred  shillings’  worth  of  bread  would  not  be 
enough  for  them  each  to  have  a  little  piece.”  One  of  his  dis¬ 
ciples,  Andrew,  Simon  Peter’s  brother,  said  to  him,  “There  is 
a  boy  here  who  has  five  barley  loaves  and  two  fishes.  But 
what  are  these  for  so  many?”  Jesus  said,  “Make  the  people 
recline  on  the  ground.”  There  was  much  grass  in  the  place. 
So  the  men,  about  five  thousand  in  number,  reclined  on  the 
ground.  Jesus  took  the  loaves  and  gave  thanks  and  divided 
them  to  those  who  were  reclining,  and  in  the  same  way  the 
fishes,  as  much  as  they  wanted.  When  they  were  satisfied,  he 
said  to  his  disciples,  “Gather  up  the  broken  pieces  that  have 
been  left  over,  so  that  nothing  may  be  wasted.”  They  gathered 
them  and  filled  twelve  baskets  with  the  fragments  of  the  five 
barley  loaves,  which  were  left  over  by  those  who  had  eaten. 


162 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


Then  the  people,  seeing  the  sign  that  he  had  done,  said,  “This 
is  truly  the  prophet  who  was  to  come  into  the  world!”  Jesus, 
perceiving  that  they  were  about  to  come  and  take  him  by  force 
to  make  him  king,  withdrew  again  up  the  mountain  by  himself 
alone. 

When  evening  came,  his  disciples  went  down  to  the  lake 
and  got  into  a  boat  and  started  across  toward  Capernaum. 
It  had  already  grown  dark,  and  Jesus  had  not  yet  come  to 
them.  The  lake  was  getting  rough,  as  a  strong  wind  was  blow¬ 
ing.  When  they  had  rowed  three  or  four  miles,  they  saw  Jesus 
walking  on  the  lake  and  getting  near  the  boat,  and  they  were 
frightened.  But  he  said  to  them,  “It  is  I;  never  fear.”  Then 
they  were  willing  to  take  him  into  the  boat,  and  at  once  the 
boat  came  to  the  land  they  were  making  for. 

On  the  next  day  the  crowd  that  was  standing  on  the  other 
side  of  the  lake  saw  that  there  had  been  no  boat  there  but  the 
one,  and  that  Jesus  had  not  got  into  the  boat  with  his  disciples, 
but  that  his  disciples  had  gone  away  by  themselves  (yet  boats 
did  come  from  Tiberias  near  to  the  place  where  they  had  eaten 
bread  after  the  Master  had  given  thanks)  —  when  the  crowd 
saw  that  Jesus  was  not  there  nor  his  disciples  either,  they  got 
into  those  boats  and  came  to  Capernaum  looking  for  Jesus. 
When  they  found  him  across  the  lake,  they  said  to  him,  “  Rabbi, 
when  did  you  get  here?”  Jesus  answered  them,  “Truly,  truly, 
I  tell  you,  you  are  looking  for  me  not  because  you  saw  signs, 
but  because  you  ate  of  the  loaves  and  had  your  fill.  Do  not 
work  for  the  food  that  perishes,  but  for  the  food  that  endures 
to  life  eternal,  which  the  Son  of  Man  will  give  you.  For  him 
God  the  Father  has  sealed.”  They  said  to  him,  “What  are  we 
to  do  to  work  the  works  of  God?”  Jesus  answered  them, 
“  This  is  the  work  of  God,  to  believe  in  him  whom  he  has  sent.” 
They  said  to  him,  “What  sign  are  you  doing  for  us  to  see  and 
believe  in  you?  What  are  you  working?  Our  fathers  ate  the 
manna  in  the  desert  as  it  is  written,  ‘  He  gave  them  bread  from 
heaven  to  eat.’”  Jesus  said  to  them,  “Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you 
Moses  did  not  give  you  the  bread  from  heaven,  but  my 
Father  is  giving  you  the  true  bread  from  heaven.  For  the 
bread  of  God  is  he  who  came  down  from  heaven  and  gives  his 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


163 


life  for  the  world.”  They  said  to  him,  “Sir,  always  give  us  this 
bread.”  Jesus  said  to  them,  “I  am  the  bread  of  life.  He  who 
comes  to  me  will  never  hunger,  and  he  who  believes  in  me  will 
never  thirst.  But,  I  tell  you,  you  have  seen  me  and  do  not 
believe.  All  that  the  Father  gives  me  will  come  to  me,  and  him 
who  comes  to  me  I  will  not  cast  away;  for  I  came  down  from 
heaven  not  to  do  my  will,  but  the  will  of  him  who  sent  me; 
and  this  is  the  will  of  him  who  sent  me,  that  of  the  whole  that 
he  has  given  me  I  should  lose  nothing,  but  should  raise  all  up 
on  the  last  day.  For  this  is  the  will  of  my  Father,  that  every 
one  who  looks  upon  the  Son  and  believes  in  him  shall  have 
life  eternal,  and  I  will  raise  him  up  on  the  last  day.” 

The  Jews  were  muttering  to  each  other  about  him  because 
he  said,  “I  am  the  bread  that  came  down  from  heaven,”  and 
they  were  saying,  “Is  not  this  Jesus,  the  son  of  Joseph,  whose 
father  and  mother  we  know?  How  does  he  say  now,  ‘I  have 
come  down  from  heaven’?”  Jesus  answered  them,  “Do  not  be 
muttering  with  one  another.  No  one  can  come  to  me  unless  the 
Father  who  sent  me  draws  him.  And  I  will  raise  him  up  on  the 
last  day.  It  is  written  in  the  prophets,  ‘  They  will  all  be  taught 
by  God.’  Every  one  who  has  heard  from  the  Father  and  has 
learned  comes  to  me.  Not  that  any  one  has  seen  the  Father  but 
he  who  is  from  God  —  he  has  seen  the  Father.  Truly,  truly,  I 
tell  you,  he  who  believes  has  life  eternal.  I  am  the  bread  of  life. 
Your  fathers  ate  the  manna  in  the  desert  and  they  died.  This 
is  the  bread  that  comes  down  from  heaven  so  that  any  one  may 
eat  of  it  and  not  die.  I  am  the  living  bread  that  comes  down 
from  heaven.  If  any  one  eats  of  this  bread,  he  will  live  forever. 
And  the  bread  that  I  will  give  is  my  flesh :  I  will  give  it  for  the 
life  of  the  world.” 

The  Jews  disputed  angrily  with  one  another,  saying,  “How 
can  this  man  give  us  his  flesh  to  eat?”  Jesus  said  to  them, 
“Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  unless  you  eat  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of 
Man  and  drink  his  blood  you  have  no  life  in  you.  He  who 
eats  my  flesh  and  drinks  my  blood  has  life  eternal,  and  I  will 
raise  him  up  on  the  last  day.  For  my  flesh  is  true  food  and  my 
blood  is  true  drink.  Fie  who  eats  my  flesh  and  drinks  my  blood 
abides  in  me  and  I  abide  in  him.  As  the  living  Father  sent  me 


164 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


and  I  am  living  because  of  the  Father,  so  he  who  eats  me  — ■ 
he  will  live  because  of  me.  This  is  the  bread  that  came  down 
from  heaven,  not  such  as  your  fathers  ate  and  died.  He  who 
eats  this  bread  will  live  forever.”  These  things  he  said  while 
teaching  in  a  synagogue  in  Capernaum. 

Many  of  his  disciples,  after  hearing  him,  said,  “This  is  a 
hard  doctrine.  Who  can  listen  to  it?”  Jesus,  knowing  in  his 
own  mind  that  his  disciples  were  muttering  about  this,  said  to 
them,  “Does  this  make  you  stumble?  What  if  you  behold  the 
Son  of  Man  ascending  where  he  was  before?  The  spirit  is  what 
gives  life;  the  flesh  is  of  no  account.  The  words  that  I  have 
spoken  to  you  are  spirit  and  are  life.  But  there  are  some  of 
you  who  do  not  believe.”  For  Jesus  knew  from  the  beginning 
who  they  were  that  did  not  believe,  and  who  it  was  that  would 
betray  him.  He  said,  “For  this  reason  I  have  told  you  that  no 
one  can  come  to  me  unless  it  has  been  granted  to  him  from 
the  Father.” 

After  that  many  of  the  disciples  drew  back  from  him  and  no 
longer  went  about  with  him.  Jesus  said  to  the  twelve,  “Will 
you  also  go  away?”  Simon  Peter  answered  him,  “Sir,  to 
whom  shall  we  go?  You  have  the  words  of  life  eternal,  and 
we  are  persuaded  and  know  that  you  are  the  Holy  One  of 
God.”  Jesus  answered  them,  “Did  I  not  choose  you  twelve? 
Yet  one  of  you  is  a  devil!”  He  was  speaking  of  Judas,  the  son 
of  Simon  Iscariot.  For  he  was  going  to  betray  him,  though 
he  was  one  of  the  twelve. 


VII 

After  this  Jesus  went  about  in  Galilee;  for  he  would  not 
go  about  in  Judaea  because  the  Jews  were  trying  to  kill  him. 
The  Jewish  Feast  of  Tabernacles  was  near.  His  brothers  said 
to  him,  “Leave  this  region  and  go  into  Judaea  so  that  your  dis¬ 
ciples  may  see  the  works  that  you  are  doing.  For  no  one  does 
anything  in  secret  while  desiring  to  be  known  publicly.  If  you 
are  doing  these  things,  show  yourself  to  the  world.”  For 
neither  did  his  brothers  believe  in  him.  Jesus  said  to  them, 
“My  time  has  not  yet  come.  Any  time  suits  you.  The  world 
cannot  hate  you,  but  it  hates  me,  because  I  testify  about  it 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


165 


that  its  ways  are  wicked.  Go  on  up  to  the  feast  yourselves;  I 
am  not  going  up  yet  to  this  feast,  for  my  time  has  not  fully 
come.,J  After  saying  this  to  them  he  stayed  in  Galilee. 

After  his  brothers  had  gone  up  to  the  feast,  Jesus  himself 
went  up,  not  openly,  but  somewhat  privately.  The  Jews 
were  looking  for  him  at  the  feast  and  were  saying,  “Where  is 
that  man?”  A  low  murmur  of  debate  about  him  ran  through 
the  crowds.  Some  were  saying,  “He  is  good.”  Others  were 
saying,  “No,  he  misleads  the  crowd.”  Nobody,  however,  was 
talking  openly  about  him  for  fear  of  the  Jews. 

About  the  middle  of  the  feast  Jesus  went  up  into  the  Temple 
courts  and  began  teaching.  The  Jews  were  astonished  and 
said,  “How  does  this  man  know  books  when  he  has  never 
been  educated?  ”  Jesus  answered  them,  “  If  any  one  wills  to  do 
his  will,  he  will  know  about  the  teaching,  whether  it  is  from 
God  or  I  am  speaking  out  of  my  own  mind.  One  who  speaks 
out  of  his  own  mind  is  seeking  his  own  glory.  He  who  seeks  the 
glory  of  him  who  sent  him  —  he  is  true,  and  wickedness  is  not 
in  him.  Did  not  Moses  give  you  the  Law?  Yet  no  one  of  you 
keeps  the  Law.  Why  are  you  trying  to  kill  me?”  The  crowd 
answered,  “You  have  a  demon.  Who  is  trying  to  kill  you?” 
Jesus  answered  them,  “  I  did  one  good  work  and  you  all  wonder 
about  it.  Moses  gave  you  circumcision  —  not  that  it  is  from 
Moses,  but  from  our  fathers  —  and  on  the  Sabbath  you  cir¬ 
cumcise  a  person.  If  a  person  receives  circumcision  on  the 
Sabbath,  so  that  the  Law  of  Moses  may  not  be  broken,  are 
you  bitter  against  me  because  I  have  made  a  man  well  on 
the  Sabbath?  Do  not  judge  by  appearances,  but  judge  fair 
judgment.” 

Some  of  the  Jerusalem  people  were  saying,  “Is  not  this  the 
man  they  are  trying  to  kill?  See,  he  is  talking  freely  and  they 
say  nothing  to  him.  It  cannot  be  that  the  rulers  know  for 
truth  that  this  is  the  Christ?  But  we  know  where  this  man 
comes  from.  The  Christ,  when  he  comes  —  no  one  will  know 
where  he  comes  from.”  Jesus,  while  teaching  in  the  Temple 
courts,  cried  out  loudly,  “You  know  me  and  you  know  where 
I  come  from.  I  have  not  come  of  myself,  but  he  is  true  who 
sent  me.  You  do  not  know  him,  but  I  know  him,  for  I 


166 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


am  from  him  and  he  sent  me.”  They  tried  to  arrest  him, 
but  no  one  laid  a  hand  on  him,  for  his  hour  had  not  yet 
come. 

From  the  crowd  many  believed  in  him  and  said,  “The 
Christ,  when  he  comes,  will  not  do  more  signs  than  this  man 
does,  will  he?”  The  Pharisees  heard  the  murmur  of  debate 
about  him  in  the  crowd,  and  the  high  priests  and  the  Pharisees 
sent  officers  to  arrest  him.  Jesus  said,  “A  little  while  longer 
I  am  with  you  and  then  I  am  going  to  him  who  sent  me.  You 
will  look  for  me  and  will  not  find  me,  and  where  I  am  you  can¬ 
not  come.”  The  Jews  said  to  one  another,  “Where  is  this  man 
going  that  we  shall  not  find  him?  Will  he  go  to  the  Jews  who 
are  scattered  among  the  Greeks  and  teach  the  Greeks?  What 
does  this  assertion  mean,  ‘You  will  look  for  me  and  will  not 
find  me,  and  where  I  am  you  cannot  come’?” 

On  the  last  day,  the  great  day,  of  the  feast  Jesus  stood  and 
cried  out,  “If  any  man  thirsts,  let  him  come  to  me  and  drink. 
He  who  believes  in  me,  as  the  Scripture  has  said,  rivers  of 
living  water  will  flow  from  within  him.”  This  he  said  referring 
to  the  Spirit  which  those  who  had  believed  in  him  were  soon  to 
receive.  For  as  yet  there  was  no  Spirit,  because  Jesus  had  not 
yet  been  glorified.  Some  from  the  crowd,  on  hearing  these 
words,  said,  “This  man  is  truly  the  prophet.”  Others  said, 
“This  is  the  Christ.”  Others  said,  “The  Christ  is  not  coming 
out  of  Galilee,  is  he?  Does  not  the  Scripture  say  that  the 
Christ  comes  of  the  descendants  of  David,  and  from  Beth¬ 
lehem,  the  village  where  David  was?”  A  division  arose  in  the 
crowd  over  him.  Some  of  them  wanted  to  arrest  him,  but  no 
one  laid  hands  on  him. 

The  officers  came  to  the  high  priests  and  Pharisees,  and 
they  said  to  them,  “Why  did  you  not  bring  him?”  The  officers 
answered,  “Never  any  man  spoke  as  this  man  speaks.”  The 
Pharisees  answered  them,  “Have  you  also  been  deluded?  Can 
it  be  that  any  one  of  the  rulers  or  Pharisees  has  believed  in 
him?  But  this  crowd  who  do  not  know  the  Law  are  cursed.” 
Nicodemus  said  to  them  —  he  who  came  to  Jesus  before  — 
being  himself  one  of  them,  “Does  our  Law  condemn  any  man 
without  first  hearing  from  him  and  learning  what  he  is  doing?” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


167 


They  answered  him,  “Can  it  be  that  you  too  are  from  Gali¬ 
lee?  Examine  and  see  that  from  Galilee  no  prophet  arises.” 

[l  They  went  each  to  his  home,  but  Jesus  went  to  the  Mount 
of  Olives. 


VIII 

Early  in  the  morning  he  came  again  to  the  Temple  courts  and 
all  the  people  came  to  him  and  he  sat  down  and  taught  them. 
The  scribes  and  the  Pharisees  led  in  a  woman  taken  in  adultery 
and  making  her  stand  in  the  midst,  they  said  to  him,  “  Teacher, 
this  woman  was  taken  in  the  very  act  of  adultery.  In  the  Law 
Moses  commanded  to  stone  such.  What  do  you  say?”  This 
they  said,  testing  him,  to  have  something  to  accuse  him  of.  But 
Jesus  stooped  over  and  wrote  with  his  finger  on  the  ground. 
As  they  kept  on  questioning  him,  he  lifted  himself  up  and  said 
to  them,  “  Let  the  sinless  one  among  you  be  the  first  to  throw  a 
stone  at  her,”  and  again  he  stooped  over  and  went  on  writing 
on  the  ground.  After  hearing  that,  they  passed  out  one  by  one, 
beginning  with  the  older  men,  and  he  was  left  alone  and  the 
woman  there  in  the  center.  Jesus  raised  himself  up  and  said  to 
her,  “Woman,  where  are  they?  Has  no  one  sentenced  you?” 
She  said,  “No  one,  Sir.”  Jesus  said,  “Neither  do  I  sentence 
you.  Go.  From  now  on  sin  no  more.”] 

Again  Jesus  spoke  to  them,  saying,  “I  am  the  light  of  the 
world.  He  who  follows  me  will  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  will 
have  the  light  of  life.”  The  Pharisees  said  to  him,  “You  are 
bearing  witness  to  yourself;  your  witness  is  not  true.”  Jesus 
answered  them,  “Even  if  I  witness  to  myself,  my  witness  is 
true,  for  I  know  where  I  came  from  and  where  I  am  going. 
You  do  not  know  where  I  came  from  or  where  I  am  going. 
You  judge  according  to  the  flesh,  I  judge  no  one.  Even  if  I 

1  The  bracketed  passage  is  lacking  in  most  of  the  ancient  manuscripts. 
Plainly  it  does  not  belong  in  this  place  or  indeed  anywhere  in  John.  Perhaps 
some  one  had  it  on  a  loose  leaf  between  the  pages  of  his  copy  of  John  and 
then  some  copyist  found  it  here  and  copied  it  in.  In  spite  of  our  ignorance 
as  to  its  origin,  few  will  find  it  possible  to  doubt  the  truth  of  this  priceless 
fragment. 


168 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


judge,  my  judgment  is  true,  for  I  am  not  alone,  but  when  1 
judge  he  who  sent  me  is  with  me.  In  your  law  it  is  written  that 
the  evidence  of  two  persons  is  true.  I  am  giving  witness  to 
myself  and  the  Father  who  sent  me  witnesses  to  me.”  They 
said  to  him,  “Where  is  your  Father?”  Jesus  answered,  “You 
know  neither  me  nor  my  Father.  If  you  knew  me,  you  would 
know  my  Father  also.”  These  words  he  spoke  in  the  Treasury, 
while  teaching  in  the  Temple  courts,  and  no  one  arrested  him 
because  his  hour  had  not  yet  come. 

He  said  again  to  them,  “  I  am  going  away  and  you  will  search 
for  me  and  will  die  in  your  sin.  Where  I  am  going  you  cannot 
come.”  The  Jews  said,  “Will  he  kill  himself,  and  so  says, 
‘ Where  I  am  going  you  cannot  come’?”  He  said  to  them, 
“  You  are  from  below;  I  am  from  above.  You  are  of  this  world; 
I  am  not  of  this  world.  Therefore  I  said  to  you  that  you  will 
die  in  your  sins.  Unless  you  believe  that  I  am  he,  you  will  die 
in  your  sins.”  They  said  to  him,  “Who  are  you?  ”  Jesus  said  to 
them,  “Exactly  what  I  have  been  telling  you.  I  have  many 
things  to  say  about  you  and  to  judge.  But  he  who  sent  me  is 
true,  and  what  I  have  heard  from  him  I  speak  in  the  world.” 
They  did  not  perceive  that  he  was  speaking  to  them  of  the 
Father.  Jesus  said,  “  When  you  have  lifted  up  the  Son  of  Man, 
then  you  will  know  that  I  am  he,  and  that  of  myself  I  do  noth¬ 
ing,  but  as  the  Father  taught  me,  so  I  speak.  He  who  sent  me 
is  with  me.  He  has  not  left  me  alone,  because  I  always  do  what 
is  pleasing  to  him.” 

While  he  was  speaking  these  things,  many  believed  in  him. 
Jesus  said  to  the  Jews  that  had  believed  him,  “If  you  continue 
in  my  word,  you  are  truly  my  disciples,  and  you  will  know  the 
truth  and  the  truth  will  make  you  free.”  They  answered  him, 
“We  are  descendants  of  Abraham  and  have  never  been  in 
slavery  to  any  man.  How  do  you  say,  ‘You  will  become 
free’?”  Jesus  answered  them,  “Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  every 
one  who  practices  sin  is  the  slave  of  sin.  The  slave  does  not 
stay  in  the  house  forever;  the  Son  stays  forever.  So  if  the  Son 
frees  you,  you  will  be  really  free.  I  know  that  you  are  de¬ 
scendants  of  Abraham;  but  you  are  trying  to  kill  me,  because 
my  word  has  no  place  within  you.  I  am  speaking  what  I  have 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


169 


seen  with  my  Father  and  you  are  doing  what  you  have  heard 
with  your  father.”  They  answered  him,  “Abraham  is  our 
father.”  He  said  to  them,  “If  you  were  children  of  Abraham 
you  would  do  the  works  of  Abraham.  But  now  you  are  trying 
to  kill  me,  a  man  who  has  spoken  to  you  the  truth  which  I 
have  heard  from  God.  Abraham  did  not  do  this.  You  do  the 
works  of  your  father.”  They  said  to  him,  “We  were  not  born 
of  unchastity.  We  have  one  father  —  God.”  Jesus  said  to 
them,  “  If  God  were  your  father  you  would  love  me;  for  I  came 
forth  from  God  and  am  now  here.  For  I  have  not  come  of  my¬ 
self,  but  he  sent  me.  Why  do  you  not  understand  what  I  am 
saying?  It  is  because  you  cannot  bear  to  listen  to  my  message. 
You  are  of  your  father  the  Devil,  and  the  lusts  of  your  father 
it  is  your  will  to  practice.  He  was  a  murderer  from  the  begin¬ 
ning,  and  did  not  stand  in  the  truth;  for  truth  is  not  in  him. 
When  he  speaks  falsehood,  he  speaks  out  of  his  own;  for  he  is 
a  liar  and  the  father  of  it.  But  me  —  because  I  tell  you  the 
truth  —  me  you  do  not  believe.  Who  of  you  convinces  me  of 
sin?  If  I  speak  truth,  why  do  you  not  believe  me?  He  who  is 
of  God  listens  to  God’s  words.  For  this  reason  you  do  not 
listen  —  because  you  are  not  of  God.”  The  Jews  answered 
him,  “Do  we  not  say  correctly  that  you  are  a  Samaritan  and 
have  a  demon?”  Jesus  answered,  “I  have  not  a  demon,  but 
I  honor  my  Father  and  you  dishonor  me.  I  am  not  seeking  my 
own  glory.  There  is  one  who  seeks  it  and  judges.  Truly,  truly, 
I  tell  you,  if  any  one  keeps  my  word  he  will  not  look  on  death.” 
The  Jews  said  to  him,  “  Now  we  know  that  you  have  a  demon. 
Abraham  died  and  the  prophets  died,  and  you  say,  ‘  If  any  one 
keeps  my  word  he  will  never  taste  of  death.’  Are  you  greatei 
than  our  father  Abraham?  And  yet  he  died  and  the  prophets 
died.  Whom  do  you  make  yourself  out  to  be?”  Jesus  an¬ 
swered,  “If  I  glorify  myself,  my  glory  is  nothing.  It  is  my 
Father  who  glorifies  me,  of  whom  you  say  that  he  is  your  God. 
Yet  you  do  not  know  him,  but  I  know  him,  and  if  I  should  say 
that  I  did  not  know  him  I  should  be  a  liar  like  you.  But  I 
know  him  and  1  keep  his  word.  Abraham  your  father  rejoiced 
that  he  was  to  see  my  day,  and  he  saw  it  and  was  glad.”  The 
Jews  said  to  him,  “You  are  not  yet  fifty  years  old,  and  have 


170 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


you  seen  Abraham?”  Jesus  said  to  them,  “ Truly,  truly,  I  tell 
you,  before  Abraham  came  into  being  I  am.”  They  took  up 
stones  to  throw  at  him;  but  Jesus  concealed  himself  and  left 
the  Temple  courts. 


IX 

As  he  was  passing  by,  Jesus  saw  a  man  who  had  been  blind 
from  birth.  His  disciples  asked  him,  “  Rabbi,  who  sinned,  this 
man  or  his  parents,  that  he  was  born  blind?”  Jesus  answered, 
“ Neither  this  man  sinned  nor  his  parents;  but  it  was  in  order 
that  the  works  of  God  might  be  manifested  in  him.  We  must 
work  the  works  of  him  who  sent  me  while  it  is  day.  Night  is 
coming  when  no  one  can  work.  While  I  am  in  the  world  I  am 
the  light  of  the  world.”  After  saying  this,  he  spit  on  the  ground 
and  made  clay  with  the  spittle  and  put  the  clay  on  the  man’s 
eyes  and  said  to  him, “  Go,  wash  in  the  pool  of  Siloam  (which 
means  Sent).”  He  went  away  and  washed  and  came  back 
seeing.  His  neighbors  and  those  accustomed  to  see  him  before, 
when  he  was  begging,  said,  “Is  not  this  the  man  that  sat  and 
begged? ”  Some  said,  “ This  is  he.”  Others  said,  “No,  but  he  is 
like  him.”  He  said,  “I  am  the  man.”  They  said  to  him,  “ How 
then  were  your  eyes  opened?”  He  replied,  “The  man  called 
Jesus  made  clay  and  spread  it  on  my  eyes  and  said  to  me,  ‘Go 
to  Siloam  and  wash.’  I  went  and  washed  and  received  my 
sight.”  They  said  to  him,  “Where  is  that  man?”  He  said,  “I 
do  not  know.” 

They  brought  him  to  the  Pharisees  —  the  man  once  blind. 
It  was  on  the  Sabbath  day  that  Jesus  made  the  clay  and  opened 
his  eyes.  The  Pharisees  in  their  turn  asked  him  how  he  re¬ 
ceived  his  sight.  He  said  to  them,  “He  put  clay  on  my  eyes 
and  I  washed  and  I  saw.”  Some  of  the  Pharisees  said,  “This 
man  is  not  from  God  because  he  does  not  keep  the  Sabbath.” 
Others  said,  “How  can  a  man,  if  he  is  a  sinner,  do  such  signs?” 
So  there  was  a  division  among  them.  They  said  again  to  the 
blind  man,  “What  do  you  say  about  him,  now  that  he  has 
opened  your  eyes?”  He  said,  “He  is  a  prophet.”  The  Jews 
did  not  believe  the  story  that  he  was  blind  and  recovered 
his  sight,  until  they  had  called  the  parents  of  the  man 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


171 


who  had  recovered  his  sight  and  had  asked  them,  “Is  this 
your  son,  who  you  say  was  born  blind?  Then  how  can  he  see 
now?”  His  parents  answered,  “We  know  that  this  is  our  son, 
and  that  he  was  born  blind.  But  how  he  sees  now  we  do  not 
knowT,  or  who  opened  his  eyes  we  do  not  know.  Ask  him;  he  is 
of  age;  he  shall  speak  for  himself.”  His  parents  said  this  be¬ 
cause  they  were  afraid  of  the  Jews.  For  the  Jews  had  already 
agreed  that  if  any  one  confessed  Jesus  as  the  Christ,  he  should 
be  cast  out  of  the  synagogue.  For  this  reason  his  parents  said, 
“He  is  of  age,  ask  him.”  They  called  a  second  time  the  man 
who  had  been  blind,  and  said  to  him,  “Give  glory  to  God.  We 
know  that  this  man  is  a  sinner.”  The  man  answered,  “  Whether 
he  is  a  sinner  I  do  not  know.  One  thing  I  know,  I  was  blind 
and  now  I  see.”  They  said  to  him,  “What  did  he  do  to  you? 
How  did  he  open  your  eyes?”  He  answered  them,  “I  have 
told  you  already  and  you  did  not  listen,  why  do  you  want  to 
hear  it  again?  Do  you  want  to  become  his  disciples?”  They 
flouted  him  and  said,  “You  are  that  man’s  disciple;  we  are 
Moses’  disciples.  We  know  that  God  spoke  to  Moses,  but  this 
man  —  we  do  not  know  where  he  comes  from.”  The  man 
answered  them,  “There  is  something  wonderful  in  this.  You 
do  not  know  where  he  comes  from,  yet  he  has  opened  my 
eyes!  We  know  that  God  does  not  listen  to  a  sinner,  but  if 
any  one  is  God-fearing  and  does  his  will,  God  hears  him. 
Since  the  world  began  it  has  not  been  heard  that  any  one 
opened  the  eyes  of  a  man  born  blind.  If  this  man  were  not 
from  God,  he  could  not  do  anything.”  They  answered  him, 
“You  were  born  in  sin  —  wholly;  and  are  you  teaching  us?” 
and  they  cast  him  out. 

Jesus  heard  that  they  had  cast  him  out,  and  found  him  and 
said,  “Do  you  believe  in  the  Son  of  Man?”  The  man  an¬ 
swered,  “Who  is  he,  Sir?  Tell  me,  so  that  I  may  believe  in 
him.”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “You  have  seen  him,  and  it  is  he  who 
is  talking  with  you.”  He  said,  “I  believe,  Sir,”  and  bowed 
down  before  him.  Jesus  said,  “For  judgment  I  came  into  this 
world,  that  those  who  do  not  see  may  see,  and  that  those  who 
see  may  become  blind.”  Those  of  the  Pharisees  who  were  with 
him  heard  this  and  said  to  him,  “Are  we  blind  also?”  Jesus 


172 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


said  to  them,  “If  you  were  blind,  you  would  have  no  sin.  But 
now  that  you  say,  *  We  see/  your  sin  remains  with  you.” 

x 

“Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  he  who  does  not  enter  through  the 
gate  into  the  sheepfold,  but  climbs  over  somewhere  else,  that 
man  is  a  thief  and  a  robber.  But  he  who  enters  through  the 
gate  is  the  shepherd  of  the  sheep.  The  gate-keeper  opens  to 
him  and  the  sheep  listen  to  his  voice,  and  he  calls  his  own 
sheep  by  name  and  leads  them  out.  When  he  has  brought  out 
all  his  own  sheep,  he  goes  before  them  and  the  sheep  follow 
him,  for  they  know  his  voice.  They  will  not  follow  a  stranger, 
but  will  run  away  from  him,  for  they  do  not  know  the  voices 
of  strangers.”  This  illustration  Jesus  gave  to  them,  but  they 
did  not  understand  what  he  was  saying  to  them. 

Again  Jesus  spoke:  “Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  I  am  the  gate 
of  the  sheep.  All  that  ever  came  before  me  were  thieves  and 
robbers.  But  the  sheep  did  not  listen  to  them.  I  am  the  gate: 
if  any  one  enters  through  me  he  will  be  saved,  and  will  go  in 
and  go  out  and  find  pasture.  The  thief  comes  only  to  steal  and 
kill  and  destroy.  I  have  come  that  they  may  have  life  and 
have  it  abundantly.  I  am  the  good  shepherd.  The  good 
shepherd  lays  down  his  fife  for  the  sheep.  The  hireling,  who  is 
not  the  shepherd,  whose  own  the  sheep  are  not,  looks  on  as 
the  wolf  comes  and  leaves  the  sheep  and  runs  away  —  and  the 
wolf  seizes  them  and  scatters  them  —  because  he  is  a  hireling 
and  does  not  care  for  the  sheep.  I  am  the  good  shepherd,  and 
I  know  mine  and  mine  know  me,  just  as  the  Father  knows  me 
and  I  know  the  Father,  and  I  lay  down  my  life  for  the  sheep. 
But  I  have  other  sheep  which  are  not  of  this  fold;  I  must 
bring  them  also,  and  they  will  listen  to  my  voice,  and  there  will 
be  one  flock,  one  shepherd.  For  this  the  Father  loves  me, 
because  I  lay  down  my  life  to  take  it  again.  No  one  takes  it 
from  me,  but  I  lay  it  down  of  myself.  I  have  power  to  lay  it 
down  and  have  power  to  take  it  again.  This  command  I 
received  from  my  Father.” 

There  was  again  a  division  among  the  Jews,  on  account  of 
these  words.  Many  of  them  said,  “He  has  a  demon  and  is 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


173 


insane.  Why  do  you  listen  to  him?”  Others  said,  “These 
words  are  not  those  of  a  demoniac.  Can  a  demon  open  the 
eyes  of  the  blind?” 

Then  came  the  Feast  of  Renovation  in  Jerusalem.  It  was 
winter.  Jesus  was  walking  in  the  Temple  courts,  in  Solomon's 
Colonnade.  The  Jews  came  in  a  circle  around  him  and  said  to  * 
him,  “How  long  are  you  going  to  keep  us  in  suspense?  If  you 
are  the  Christ,  tell  us  frankly.”  Jesus  answered  them,  “I  have 
told  you  and  you  do  not  believe.  The  works  that  I  do  in  my 
Father's  name  —  these  witness  for  me.  But  you  do  not  believe 
because  you  are  not  of  my  sheep.  My  sheep  listen  to  my  voice 
and  I  know  them  and  they  follow  me,  and  I  give  to  them  life 
eternal,  and  they  will  never  perish,  and  no  one  will  snatch 
them  out  of  my  hand.  My  Father  who  gave  them  to  me  is 
greater  than  all,  and  no  one  can  snatch  them  out  of  my 
Father's  hand.  I  and  my  Father  are  one.”  Again  the  Jews 
took  up  stones  to  stone  him.  Jesus  answered  them,  “Many 
good  works  I  have  shown  you  from  my  Father.  For  which  of 
these  works  are  you  stoning  me?”  The  Jews  answered  him, 
“For  a  good  work  we  are  not  stoning  you,  but  for  profane 
words,  because  you,  a  man,  are  making  yourself  God.”  Jesus 
answered  them,  “  Is  it  not  written  in  your  Law,  ‘  I  said  you  are 
Gods'?  If  he  called  those  to  whom  the  word  of  God  came 
Gods  —  and  the  authority  of  Scripture  cannot  be  denied  — ■ 
do  you  say  to  him  whom  the  Father  made  holy  and  sent  into 
the  world,  ‘You  speak  profane  words/  because  I  said,  ‘I  am 
the  Son  of  God'?  If  I  do  not  do  the  works  of  my  Father,  do 
not  believe  me.  But  if  I  do,  even  though  you  do  not  believe 
me,  believe  the  works;  that  you  may  perceive  and  know  that 
the  Father  is  in  me  and  that  I  am  in  the  Father.” 

Again  they  tried  to  seize  him,  but  he  escaped  from  their 
hands  and  went  away  again  beyond  the  Jordan  to  the  place 
where  John  was  at  first  when  he  was  baptizing,  and  he  stayed 
there.  Many  came  to  him  and  they  said,  “John  did  no  sign; 
but  all  that  John  said  about  this  man  was  true.”  Many 
believed  in  him  there. 


174 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


XI 

There  was  a  certain  man  sick  —  Lazarus  of  Bethany,  of  the 
village  of  Mary  and  Martha  her  sister.  It  was  that  Mary 
who  anointed  the  Master  with  perfume  and  wiped  his  feet  with 
her  hair  whose  brother  Lazarus  was  sick.  So  the  sisters  sent  to 
Jesus,  saying,  “Master,  he  whom  you  love  is  sick.”  When 
Jesus  heard  it  he  said,  “  This  sickness  is  not  to  end  in  death,  but 
is  for  the  glory  of  God,  that  the  Son  of  God  may  be  glorified  by 
it.”  Jesus  loved  Martha  and  her  sister  and  Lazarus.  So  when 
he  heard  that  he  was  sick,  he  stayed  where  he  was  two  days. 
Then,  after  that,  he  said  to  the  disciples,  “Let  us  go  to  Judaea 
again.”  The  disciples  said  to  him,  “Rabbi,  just  now  the  Jews 
were  trying  to  stone  you,  and  are  you  going  there  again?” 
Jesus  answered,  “Are  there  not  twelve  hours  in  the  day?  If 
any  one  walks  in  the  day,  he  does  not  stumble  because  he  sees 
the  light  of  this  world.  But  if  any  one  walks  in  the  night,  he 
stumbles  because  the  light  is  not  in  him.”  He  said  this,  and 
then  he  said  to  them,  “Lazarus  our  friend  has  fallen  asleep, 
but  I  am  going  there  to  wake  him.”  The  disciples  said  to  him, 
“Master,  if  he  has  fallen  asleep,  he  will  recover.”  But  Jesus 
had  spoken  of  his  death.  They  thought  that  he  was  speaking  of 
the  repose  of  sleep.  Then  Jesus  said  to  them  frankly,  “  Lazarus 
has  died,  and  I  am  glad  on  your  account  that  I  was  not  there 
—  so  that  you  may  believe.  But  let  us  go  to  him.”  Thomas, 
who  is  called  Didymus  (the  Twin),  said  to  his  fellow  disciples, 
“Let  us  go  too  to  die  with  him.” 

When  Jesus  came  he  found  that  Lazarus  had  been  already  four 
days  in  the  tomb.  Bethany  was  near  Jerusalem,  about  two 
miles  away,  and  many  of  the  Jews  had  come  to  Martha  and 
Mary  to  comfort  them  regarding  their  brother.  When  Martha 
heard  that  Jesus  was  coming,  she  went  out  to  meet  him.  Mary 
was  sitting  in  the  house.  Martha  said  to  Jesus,  “Master,  if 
you  had  been  here  my  brother  would  not  have  died.  And  now 
I  know  that  whatever  you  ask  God  for,  God  will  give  you.” 
Jesus  said  to  her,  “Your  brother  will  rise  again.”  Martha  said 
to  him,  “  I  know  that  he  will  rise  at  the  resurrection  on  the  last 
day.”  Jesus  said  to  her,  “I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


175 


He  who  believes  in  me  even  though  he  dies  will  live,  and  no 
one  who  lives  and  believes  in  me  will  ever  die.  Do  you  believe 
this?”  She  said  to  him,  “Yes,  Master.  I  believe  that  you  are 
the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  who  was  to  come  into  the  world.” 
Having  said  this,  she  went  away  and  called  Mary  her  sister, 
saying  to  her  privately,  “The  Teacher  is  here  and  is  asking  for 
you.”  She,  when  she  heard  it,  rose  quickly  and  went  to  meet 
him.  Jesus  had  not  yet  come  into  the  village,  but  was  still  in 
the  place  where  Martha  had  met  him.  The  Jews  who  were  with 
Mary  in  the  house  trying  to  comfort  her,  seeing  her  rise  quickly 
and  go  out,  followed  thinking  that  she  was  going  to  the  tomb 
to  wail  there. 

When  Mary  came  where  Jesus  was  and  saw  him,  she  fell  at 
his  feet,  saying,  “Master,  if  you  had  been  here  my  brother 
would  not  have  died.”  When  Jesus  saw  her  weeping,  and  the 
Jews  who  had  come  with  her  weeping,  he  was  indignant  in 
spirit  and  disturbed,  and  said,  “Where  have  you  laid  him?” 
They  said  to  him,  “Master,  come  and  see.”  Jesus  wept.  The 
Jews  said,  “See,  how  he  loved  him!”  Some  of  them  said, 
“Could  not  this  man,  who  opened  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  have 
prevented  this  man  from  dying?”  Jesus,  again  indignant, 
came  to  the  tomb.  It  was  a  cave,  and  a  stone  was  lying  on  the 
entrance.  Jesus  said,  “Take  away  the  stone.”  Martha,  the 
sister  of  the  dead  man,  said  to  him,  “Master,  he  is  already 
offensive,  for  he  has  been  dead  four  days.”  Jesus  said  to  her, 
“Did  I  not  tell  you  that  if  you  believed  you  would  see  the 
glory  of  God?”  So  they  took  away  the  stone.  Jesus  lifted  up 
his  eyes  and  said,  “Father,  I  thank  thee  for  hearing  me.  I 
know  that  thou  always  hearest  me;  but  for  the  sake  of  the 
crowd  that  stand  around  I  say  it,  that  they  may  believe  that 
thou  didst  send  me.”  After  saying  this  he  called  in  a  loud 
voice,  “Lazarus,  come  forth.”  Forth  came  the  dead  man, 
swathed  feet  and  hands  in  grave-clothes  and  his  face  bound 
up  in  a  handkerchief.  Jesus  said,  “Loose  him  and  let  him  go.” 

Many  of  the  Jews  who  had  come  to  Mary  and  had  seen  what 
Jesus  did  believed  in  him.  But  some  of  them  went  away  to 
the  Pharisees  and  told  them  what  Jesus  had  done.  So  the  high 
priests  and  the  Pharisees  assembled  the  Council  and  said, 


176 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


“What  are  we  doing?  for  this  man  is  doing  many  signs.  If 
we  let  him  alone  in  this  way,  all  will  believe  in  him  and  the 
Romans  will  come  and  destroy  our  place  and  nation.”  One  of 
them,  Caiaphas,  who  was  High  Priest  that  year,  said  to  them, 
“You  do  not  know  anything  nor  do  you  reason  that  it  is  bet¬ 
ter  for  you  that  one  man  should  die  for  the  people  and  so  the 
whole  nation  escape  destruction.”  He  did  not  say  this  of  him¬ 
self,  but  being  High  Priest  that  year  he  prophesied  that  Jesus 
was  about  to  die  for  the  nation,  and  not  for  the  nation  only, 
but  to  gather  into  one  the  children  of  God  now  scattered  far 
and  wide.  From  that  day  they  plotted  to  kill  him. 

So  Jesus  no  more  walked  about  openly  among  the  Jews,  but 
went  away  from  there  into  the  country  near  the  wild  lands, 
to  a  city  called  Ephraim,  and  there  he  stayed  with  his  dis¬ 
ciples. 

The  Passover  of  the  Jews  was  near  and  many  went  up  to 
Jerusalem  from  the  country  before  the  Passover  to  purify 
themselves.  They  were  looking  for  Jesus  and  were  saying  to 
one  another,  as  they  stood  in  the  Temple  courts,  “What  do 
you  think?  That  he  will  not  come  to  the  feast?”  The  high 
priests  and  the  Pharisees  had  given  orders  that,  if  any  one 
knew  where  he  was,  he  should  report  it  so  that  they  might 
arrest  him. 


XII 

Six  days  before  the  Passover,  Jesus  came  to  Bethany,  where 
Lazarus  was  whom  he  had  raised  from  the  dead.  There  they 
made  a  dinner  for  him.  Martha  waited  on  them,  and  Lazarus 
was  one  of  those  who  reclined  at  table  with  him.  Mary  took  a 
pound  of  pure  nard  perfume,  very  costly,  and  anointed  the  feet 
of  Jesus  and  wiped  his  feet  with  her  hair.  The  house  was  filled 
with  the  fragrance  of  the  perfume.  Judas  Iscariot,  one  of  his 
disciples,  the  one  who  was  going  to  betray  him,  said,  “Why 
was  not  this  perfume  sold  for  three  hundred  shillings  and  the 
money  given  to  the  poor?”  He  said  this,  not  that  he  cared  for 
the  poor,  but  because  he  was  a  thief  and  having  the  purse  used 
to  pilfer  what  was  put  into  it.  Jesus  said,  “Let  her  alone.  It 
was  hers  to  keep  for  the  day  of  my  preparation  for  the  tomb. 


THE.  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN  177 

The  poor  you  always  have  with  you,  but  me  you  have  not 
always.” 

A  great  crowd  of  the  Jews  learned  that  he  was  there,  and 
they  came,  not  on  account  of  Jesus  alone,  but  also  to  see 
Lazarus  whom  he  had  raised  from  the  dead.  The  high  priests 
planned  to  kill  Lazarus  too,  because  many  of  the  Jews  on 
account  of  him  went  and  believed  in  Jesus. 

On  the  next  day  the  great  crowd  which  had  come  to  the 
feast,  hearing  that  Jesus  was  coming  to  Jerusalem,  took 
branches  of  palm  trees  and  went  out  to  meet  him,  shouting, 
“God  save  him!  Blessed  is  he  who  comes  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  —  the  King  of  Israel!”  Jesus,  finding  a  young  ass,  sat  on 
it,  as  it  is  written,  “Fear  not,  daughter  of  Zion!  Behold,  your 
King  comes,  sitting  on  the  foal  of  an  ass!”  These  things  his 
disciples  did  not  understand  at  first,  but  when  Jesus  had  been 
glorified,  then  they  remembered  that  these  things  had  been 
written  of  him  and  had  been  done  to  him.  The  people  that 
were  with  him  when  he  called  Lazarus  from  the  tomb  and 
raised  him  from  the  dead  were  bearing  witness  to  it.  For  this 
reason  the  crowd  went  to  meet  him,  because  they  had  heard 
that  he  had  done  this  sign.  The  Pharisees  said  among  them¬ 
selves,  “You  see  that  you  are  gaining  nothing.  Look,  the  world 
has  gone  off  after  him.” 

There  were  some  Greeks  among  those  who  had  come  up  to 
worship  at  the  feast.  These  came  to  Philip  of  Bethsaida  in 
Galilee,  and  asked  him,  “Sir,  we  wish  to  see  Jesus.”  Philip 
came  and  told  Andrew.  Andrew  came  with  Philip  and  they 
told  Jesus.  Jesus  answered  them,  “The  hour  has  come  for  the 
Son  of  Man  to  be  glorified.  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  unless  a 
grain  of  wheat  falls  into  the  ground  and  dies, fit  remains  alone. 
But  if  it  dies  it  bears  much  fruit.  He  who  loves  his  life  destroys 
it,  and  he  who  hates  his  life  in  this  world  will  keep  it  for  life 
eternal.  If  any  one  is  serving  me,  let  him  follow  me  and  where 
I  am  there  my  servant  shall  be.  If  any  one  is  serving  me,  him 
my  Father  will  honor.  Now  my  soul  is  troubled,  and  what 
shall  I  say?  Father,  save  me  from  this  hour?  But  for  this  I 
have  come  to  this  hour.  Father,  glorify  thy  name!” 

There  came  a  voice  from  heaven,  “I  have  glorified  it  and 


178 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


will  again  glorify  it.’ ’  The  crowd  that  was  standing  there  and 
heard  said  that  it  had  thundered.  Others  said,  “  An  angel  spoke 
to  him.”  Jesus  said,  “  This  voice  came,  not  on  my  account,  but 
for  you.  Now  is  the  judgment  of  this  world.  Now  the  Ruler 
of  this  world  will  be  cast  out.  And  I,  if  I  am  lifted  up  from  the 
earth,  will  draw  all  men  to  me.”  This  he  said  indicating  by 
what  death  he  was  to  die.  The  crowd  answered  him,  “We 
have  heard  out  of  the  Law  that  the  Christ  remains  forever. 
How  do  you  say  that  the  Son  of  Man  must  be  lifted  up?  Who 
is  this  Son  of  Man?”  Jesus  said  to  them,  “A  little  while 
longer  the  Light  is  among  you.  Walk  while  you  have  the  Light, 
that  darkness  may  not  overtake  you.  He  who  walks  in  dark¬ 
ness  does  not  know  where  he  is  going.  While  you  have  the 
Light,  believe  in  the  Light,  so  as  to  become  sons  of  Light.” 

Jesus  said  these  things  and  then  went  away  and  hid  himself 
from  them.  But,  though  he  had  done  so  many  signs  before 
them,  they  did  not  believe  in  him,  so  that  the  word  of  Isaiah 
the  prophet  should  be  fulfilled.  Isaiah  said,  “Lord,  who  has 
believed  our  report,  and  to  whom  has  the  arm  of  the  Lord 
been  revealed?”  For  this  reason  they  could  not  believe, 
because  Isaiah  said  again,  “He  has  blinded  their  eyes  and 
dulled  their  mind  so  that  they  may  not  see  with  their  eyes  nor 
understand  with  their  mind  and  repent  so  that  I  should  heal 
them.”  Isaiah  said  this  because  he  saw  his  glory  and  he  spoke 
of  him.  Nevertheless,  even  of  the  rulers  many  did  believe  in 
him,  but  because  of  the  Pharisees  they  did  not  confess  it,  in 
order  not  to  be  expelled  from  the  synagogue;  for  they  loved  the 
praise  of  men  more  than  the  praise  of  God.  Jesus  cried  out, 
“  He  who  believes  in  me  does  not  believe  in  me,  but  in  him  who 
sent  me,  and  he  who  looks  upon  me  looks  upon  him  who  sent 
me.  I  have  come  as  a  Light  into  the  world  that  no  one  who 
believes  in  me  may  remain  in  darkness.  If  any  one  hears  my 
words  and  does  not  keep  them,  I  do  not  judge  him;  for  I  have 
not  come  to  judge  the  world,  but  to  save  the  world.  He  who 
rejects  me  and  does  not  accept  my  words  has  a  judge.  The 
message  that  I  have  spoken  —  that  will  judge  him  on  the  last 
day.  But  he  who  sent  me  —  the  Father  himself  —  has  given 
me  a  command  what  I  am  to  say  and  what  I  am  to  speak, 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN  179 

and  I  know  that  his  command  is  life  eternal.  So  what  I  am 
speaking  I  am  speaking  just  as  the  Father  has  told  me.” 

XIII 

Before  the  Feast  of  the  Passover,  Jesus,  knowing  that  the 
hour  had  come  for  him  to  pass  from  this  world  to  the  Father, 
having  loved  his  own  who  were  in  the  world  loved  them  to  the 
end.  During  supper,  the  Devil  having  already  put  it  into  the 
heart  of  Judas  Iscariot,  the  son  of  Simon,  to  betray  him,  Jesus, 
knowing  that  the  Father  had  given  all  things  into  his  hands 
and  that  he  had  come  from  God  and  was  going  to  God,  rose 
from  supper  and  laid  aside  his  upper  garments  and  took  a 
towel  and  put  it  around  him.  Then  he  poured  water  into  a  basin 
and  began  to  wash  the  feet  of  the  disciples  and  to  wipe  them 
with  the  towel  he  had  around  him.  He  came  to  Simon  Peter. 
Peter  said  to  him,  “  Master,  are  you  washing  my  feet?”  Jesus 
answered  him,  “What  I  am  doing  you  do  not  know  now;  but 
you  will  know  hereafter.”  Peter  said  to  him,  “You  shall  never 
wash  my  feet!”  Jesus  answered  him,  “Unless  I  wash  you,  you 
have  no  part  with  me.”  Simon  Peter  said  to  him,  “Master, 
not  my  feet  only,  but  also  my  hands  and  my  head.”  Jesus  said 
to  him,  “He  who  has  bathed  has  no  need  to  be  washed,  except 
his  feet,  but  is  all  clean.  And  you  are  clean,  though  not  all.” 
For  he  knew  the  one  who  was  going  to  betray  him.  For  this 
reason  he  said,  “You  are  not  all  clean.” 

When  he  had  washed  their  feet  and  had  taken  his  upper 
garments  and  lain  down  again,  he  said  to  them,  “  Do  you  know 
what  I  have  done  to  you?  You  call  me  Teacher  and  Master 
and  you  say  rightly,  for  so  I  am.  If  then  I,  the  Master  and 
Teacher,  have  washed  your  feet,  you  too  ought  to  wash  one 
another’s  feet.  For  I  have  given  you  an  example  that  you  may 
do  as  I  have  done  to  you.  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  the  servant 
is  not  superior  to  his  master  nor  the  messenger  superior  to  him 
who  sent  him.  If  you  know  these  things,  blessed  are  you  —  if 
you  do  them.  I  am  not  speaking  of  all  of  you.  I  know  whom  I 
have  chosen.  But  that  the  Scripture  may  be  fulfilled,  ‘He 
who  is  eating  my  bread  has  lifted  up  his  heel  against  me.’  I 
am  now  telling  you  before  it  occurs  that  when  it  does  occur 


180 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


you  may  believe  that  I  am  he.  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  he  who 
receives  any  one  whom  I  send  receives  me.  He  who  receives 
me  receives  him  who  sent  me.” 

After  saying  these  things  Jesus  was  disturbed  in  spirit  and 
solemnly  said  to  them,  “  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  one  of  you 
will  betray  me.”  The  disciples  looked  at  one  another  wonder¬ 
ing  whom  he  meant.  One  of  his  disciples  was  leaning  on 
Jesus’  breast  —  the  one  Jesus  loved.  Simon  Peter  nodded  to 
him  and  said,  “Say  who  it  is  that  he  is  speaking  of.”  He,  lean¬ 
ing  back  on  the  breast  of  Jesus,  said  to  him,  “Master,  who  is 
it?  ”  Jesus  answered,  “  I  will  dip  a  piece  of  bread  and  give  it  to 
one.  That  is  the  man.”  When  he  had  dipped  the  bread,  he 
took  it  and  gave  it  to  Judas  the  son  of  Simon  Iscariot.  After 
the  piece  of  bread  Satan  entered  into  him.  Jesus  said  to  him, 
“What  you  are  doing  do  quickly.”  No  one  of  those  reclining 
at  the  table  understood  why  he  said  this  to  him.  Some  thought, 
since  Judas  had  the  purse,  that  Jesus  was  telling  him,  “Buy 
what  we  need  for  the  feast,”  or  to  give  something  to  the  poor. 
After  taking  the  morsel  Judas  immediately  went  out.  It  was 
night. 

When  Judas  had  gone,  Jesus  said,  “Now  the  Son  of  Man 
has  been  glorified  and  God  has  been  glorified  in  him.  If  God 
has  been  glorified  in  him,  God  will  also  glorify  him  in  him¬ 
self  and  immediately  will  glorify  him.  Children,  yet  a  little 
while  I  am  with  you.  You  will  look  for  me  and,  as  I  said  to  the 
Jews,  ‘Where  I  am  going  you  cannot  come/  so  I  say  now  to 
you.  A  new  command  I  give  you,  to  love  one  another,  as  I 
have  loved  you  —  that  so  you  love  one  another.  By  this  all 
will  know  that  you  are  my  disciples,  if  you  have  love  to  one 
another.”  Simon  Peter  said  to  him,  “Master,  where  are  you 
going?”  Jesus  answered,  “Where  I  am  going  you  cannot  fol¬ 
low  me  now;  but  you  will  follow  me  later.”  Peter  said  to  him, 
“  Master,  why  cannot  I  follow  you  now?  I  will  lay  down  my 
life  for  you.”  Jesus  answered,  “  Will  you  lay  down  your  life  for 
me?  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  the  cock  will  not  crow  before  you 
have  disowned  me  three  times.” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


181 


XIV 

“  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled.  Believe  in  God  and  believe 
in  me.  In  my  Father’s  house  are  many  abiding  places.  If  it 
were  not  so  I  would  have  told  you.  For  I  am  going  to  prepare 
a  place  for  you,  and  if  I  go  and  p  pare  a  place  for  you,  I  will 
come  again  and  take  you  to  myself,  that  where  I  am  you  may 
be  also.  And  to  where  I  am  going  you  know  the  way.”  Thomas 
said  to  him,  “Master,  we  do  not  know  where  you  are  going. 
How  can  we  know  the  way?”  Jesus  said  to  him,  “I  am  the 
Way  and  the  Truth  and  the  Life.  No  one  comes  to  the  Father 
except  through  me.  If  you  had  known  me  you  would  have 
known  my  Father  also.  But  now  you  know  him  and  have  seen 
him.”  Philip  said  to  him,  “Master,  show  us  the  Father  and 
we  shall  be  satisfied.”  Jesus  said,  “Have  I  been  so  much  time 
with  you  and  you  have  not  known  me,  Philip?  He  who  has 
seen  me  has  seen  the  Father.  How  can  you  say, 1  Show  us  the 
Father’?  Do  you  not  believe  that  I  am  in  the  Father  and  the 
Father  is  in  me?  The  words  that  I  say  to  you  I  speak  not  of 
myself.  The  Father  abides  in  me  and  does  his  works.  Believe 
me  that  I  am  in  the  Father  and  the  Father  in  me.  But  if  not, 
believe  on  account  of  the  works  themselves.  Truly,  truly,  I 
tell  you,  he  who  believes  in  me  — •  the  works  that  I  am  doing 
he  also  will  do  and  greater  works  than  these  he  will  do,  because 
I  am  going  to  the  Father.  Whatever  you  ask  in  my  name  that 
I  will  do,  that  the  Father  may  be  glorified  in  the  Son.  If  you 
ask  me  anything  in  my  name,  I  will  do  it. 

“  If  you  love  me,  you  will  keep  my  commands,  and  I  will  ask 
the  Father  and  he  will  give  you  another  Counselor  to  be  with 
you  forever  —  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  whom  the  world  cannot 
accept  because  it  neither  sees  him  nor  knows  him.  But  you 
know  him  because  he  abides  with  you  and  will  be  in  you.  I 
will  not  leave  you  desolate;  I  will  come  to  you.  After  a  little 
while  the  world  will  no  longer  see  me,  but  you  will  see  me; 
because  I  am  living  you  too  will  live.  On  that  day  you  will 
know  that  I  am  in  my  Father  and  you  in  me  and  I  in  you.  He 
who  has  my  commands  and  keeps  them  — •  he  is  the  one  that 
loves  me.  He  who  loves  me  will  be  loved  by  my  Father,  and  I 


182 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


will  love  him  and  will  show  myself  to  him.”  Judas  (not  Is¬ 
cariot)  said  to  him,  “  Master,  what  has  happened  that  you  are 
going  to  show  yourself  to  us  and  not  to  the  world?”  Jesus 
answered  him,  “  If  any  one  loves  me,  he  will  keep  my  word,  and 
my  Father  will  love  him  and  we  will  come  to  him  and  abide 
with  him.  He  who  loves  me  not  does  not  keep  my  words. 
And  the  word  that  you  hear  is  not  mine,  but  is  the  word  of 
the  Father  who  sent  me. 

“  These  things  I  have  spoken  to  you  while  yet  with  you. 
The  Counselor  —  the  Holy  Spirit,  whom  the  Father  will  send 
in  my  name  —  will  teach  you  all  things  and  remind  you  of  all 
that  I  have  said  to  you.  Peace  I  leave  with  you.  My  peace  I 
give  to  you.  Not  as  the  world  gives  do  I  give  to  you.  Let  not 
your  heart  be  troubled,  nor  fearful.  You  heard  that  I  said  to 
you  I  am  going  away  and  am  coming  back  to  you.  If  you 
loved  me  you  would  be  glad  that  I  am  going  to  the  Father,  for 
the  Father  is  greater  than  I.  Now  I  have  told  you  before  it 
comes  to  pass,  that  when  it  does  come  to  pass  you  may  believe. 
I  shall  no  longer  speak  much  with  you,  for  the  Ruler  of  this 
world  is  coming  and  he  has  no  part  in  me.  But  that  the  world 
may  know  that  I  love  the  Father,  even  as  the  Father  com¬ 
manded  me,  so  I  am  doing.  Rise,  let  us  go  hence.” 

XV 

“I  am  the  true  Vine  and  my  Father  is  the  Vine-grower.  Every 
branch  in  me  that  does  not  bear  fruit  he  takes  away,  and  every 
one  that  bears  fruit  he  cleanses,  that  it  may  bear  more  fruit. 
You  are  already  clean  through  the  word  that  I  have  spoken  to 
you.  Abide  in  me  and  I  in  you.  As  the  branch  cannot  bear 
fruit  of  itself  unless  it  abides  in  the  vine,  so  neither  can  you 
unless  you  abide  in  me.  I  am  the  Vine,  you  are  the  branches. 
He  who  abides  in  me  and  I  in  him  —  he  bears  much  fruit ;  but 
without  me  you  cannot  do  anything.  If  any  one  does  not  abide 
in  me,  he  is  cast  out  like  a  branch  and  withers,  and  they  gather 
them  and  throw  them  into  the  fire  and  they  are  burned.  If  you 
abide  in  me  and  my  words  abide  in  you,  ask  what  you  will  and 
it  will  be  done  for  you.  By  this  is  my  Father  glorified  —  by  your 
bearing  much  fruit  and  becoming  my  disciples.  As  the  Father 


183 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 

has  loved  me,  so  have  I  loved  you;  abide  in  my  love.  If  you 
keep  my  commands,  you  will  abide  in  my  love  as  I  have  kept 
my  Father’s  commands  and  abide  in  his  love.  These  things 
I  have  spoken  to  you  that  my  joy  may  be  in  you  and  your  joy 
may  be  made  complete.  This  is  my  command  —  to  love  one 
another  as  I  have  loved  you.  Greater  love  has  no  one  than  this: 
to  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends.  You  are  my  friends  if  you 
do  what  I  command  you.  I  no  longer  call  you  servants,  for  the 
servant  does  not  know  what  his  master  is  doing;  but  I  call  you 
friends,  for  all  that  I  have  heard  from  the  Father  I  have  made 
known  to  you.  It  was  not  you  who  chose  me,  but  I  chose  you 
and  appointed  you  that  you  should  go  and  bear  fruit  and  that 
your  fruit  should  remain,  that  whatever  you  ask  the  Father  in 
my  name  he  may  give  you.  These  things  I  am  commanding 
you  that  you  may  love  one  another. 

“  If  the  world  hates  you,  you  know  that  it  hated  me  before  it 
hated  you.  If  you  were  of  the  world  the  world  would  love  its 
own.  But  you  are  not  of  the  world,  but  I  chose  you  out  of  the 
world.  For  this  reason  the  world  hates  you.  Remember  the 
word  that  I  said  to  you,  ‘The  servant  is  not  superior  to  his 
Master.’  If  they  have  persecuted  me,  they  will  persecute  you 
also.  If  they  have  kept  my  word,  they  will  keep  yours  also. 
But  all  these  things  they  will  do  to  you  because  of  my  name, 
because  they  do  not  know  him  who  sent  me.  If  I  had  not  come 
and  spoken  to  them,  they  would  not  have  had  sin;  but  now  they 
have  no  excuse  for  their  sin.  He  who  hates  me  hates  my  Father 
also.  If  I  had  not  done  among  them  works  which  no  other  did, 
they  would  not  have  sin.  But  now  they  have  seen  and  have  hated 
both  me  and  my  Father.  But  in  order  that  the  saying  written 
in  their  Law  may  be  fulfilled,  ‘  They  hated  me  without  a  cause.’ 

“When  the  Counselor  comes,  whom  I  will  send  to  you  from 
the  Father  —  the  Spirit  of  Truth  who  goes  forth  from  the 
Father — -he  will  witness  concerning  me.  And  you  are  wit¬ 
nesses  because  you  have  been  with  me  from  the  beginning.” 

XVI 

“  These  things  I  have  spoken  to  you  that  you  may  not  stumble 
and  fall.  They  will  put  you  out  of  the  synagogues.  Indeed, 


184 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


the  hour  is  coming  when  every  one  who  kills  you  will  think 
that  he  is  offering  a  sacrifice  to  God.  These  things  they  will  do 
because  they  have  not  known  the  Father  nor  me.  But  these 
things  I  have  told  you  in  order  that  when  their  hour  comes 
you  may  remember  them  — ■  that  I  told  you.  These  things  I 
did  not  tell  you  from  the  beginning  because  I  was  with  you. 
But  now  I  am  going  to  him  who  sent  me,  and  no  one  of  you 
asks  me,  ‘Where  are  you  going? ’  but,  because  I  have  said 
these  things  to  you,  grief  has  filled  your  hearts.  I  tell  you  the 
truth,  it  is  better  for  you  that  I  should  go  away.  For  unless 
I  go  away,  the  Counselor  will  not  come  to  you;  but  if  I  go,  I 
will  send  him  to  you.  And  he,  when  he  comes,  will  convince 
the  world  regarding  sin  and  regarding  righteousness  and  regard¬ 
ing  judgment  —  regarding  sin,  because  they  do  not  believe  in 
me;  regarding  righteousness,  because  I  am  going  to  the  Father 
and  you  no  longer  see  me;  regarding  judgment,  because  the 
Ruler  of  this  world  has  been  judged.  I  have  still  many  things 
to  tell  you;  but  you  cannot  bear  them  now.  But  when  he 
comes  —  the  Spirit  of  Truth  —  he  will  guide  you  into  all  the 
truth.  For  he  will  not  speak  his  own  thoughts,  but  all  that  he 
hears  he  will  speak  and  he  will  announce  to  you  the  things  to 
come.  He  will  glorify  me  because  he  will  take  of  mine  and  will 
announce  it  to  you.  All  things  that  the  Father  has  are  mine. 
For  that  reason  I  say,  ‘  He  will  take  of  mine  and  announce  it  to 
you/  After  a  little  while  you  will  no  longer  see  me,  and  again 
a  little  while  and  you  will  see  me.” 

Some  of  his  disciples  said  to  one  another,  “What  is  this  that 
he  says,  ‘A  little  while  and  you  will  not  see  me,  and  again  a 
little  while  and  you  will  see  me/  and,  ‘because  I  am  going  to 
the  Father So  they  said,  “What  is  this  that  he  says,  ‘A 
little  while’?  We  do  not  know  what  he  means.”  Jesus  per¬ 
ceived  that  they  wanted  to  ask  him,  and  he  said  to  them, 
“Are  you  discussing  with  one  another  about  this  that  I  said, 
1 A  little  while  and  you  will  not  see  me,  and  again  a  little  while 
and  you  will  see  me’?  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  you  will  weep 
and  lament,  but  the  world  will  rejoice.  You  will  grieve,  but 
your  grief  will  change  into  joy.  A  woman  when  she  is  bringing 
forth  has  grief  because  her  hour  has  come.  But  when  she  has 


135 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 

borne  the  child,  she  no  longer  remembers  her  anguish  for  the 
joy  that  a  human  being  has  been  born  into  the  world.  And  you 
have  grief  now,  but  I  will  see  you  again,  and  your  heart  wil.. 
rejoice,  and  no  one  will  take  your  joy  from  you.  On  that  day 
you  will  ask  me  no  questions.  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you,  if  you 
ask  the  Father  for  anything  in  my  name,  he  will  give  it  to  you. 
So  far  you  have  asked  for  nothing  in  my  name;  ask  and  you 
will  obtain,  that  your  joy  may  be  made  full. 

“I  have  spoken  these  things  to  you  in  figures.  The  hour  is 
coming  when  I  will  no  longer  speak  to  you  in  figures,  but  will 
tell  you  plainly  about  the  Father.  On  that  day  you  will  ask  in 
my  name,  and  I  do  not  tell  you  that  I  will  make  request  of  the 
Father  for  you,  for  the  Father  himself  loves  you,  because  you 
have  loved  me  and  have  believed  that  I  came  forth  from  the 
Father's  presence.  I  came  forth  from  the  Father  and  have 
come  into  the  world.  Again  I  am  leaving  the  world  and  am 
going  to  the  Father."  His  disciples  said,  “See,  now  you  are 
speaking  plainly  and  are  using  no  figures.  Now  we  know  that 
you  know  all  things  and  that  you  have  no  need  to  have  any  one 
question  you.  From  this  we  believe  that  you  have  come  forth 
from  God."  Jesus  answered  them,  “Do  you  now  believe? 
Indeed  the  hour  is  coming  —  it  has  come  —  for  each  one  of 
you  to  be  scattered  to  his  own  and  leave  me  alone.  Yet  I  am 
not  alone,  for  the  Father  is  with  me.  I  have  spoken  these 
things  to  you  that  in  me  you  may  have  peace.  In  the  world 
you  have  distress.  But  be  courageous.  I  have  conquered  the 
world." 


XVII 

These  words  spoke  Jesus,  and  lifted  his  eyes  to  heaven  and 
said,  “Father,  the  hour  has  come.  Glorify  thy  Son  that  the 
Son  may  glorify  thee,  as  thou  hast  given  him  authority  over  all 
flesh,  that  he  may  give  life  eternal  to  all  that  thou  hast  given 
him.  This  is  life  eternal,  to  know  thee,  the  only  true  God,  and 
him  whom  thou  hast  sent,  Jesus  Christ.  I  have  glorified  thee 
on  the  earth  by  completing  the  work  that  thou  gavest  me  to 
do.  And  now  glorify  me,  Father,  at  thy  side  with  the  glory 
that  I  had  at  thy  side  before  the  existence  of  the  world.  I  have 


186 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


revealed  thy  name  to  the  men  whom  thou  didst  give  me  out  of 
the  world.  Thine  they  were,  and  thou  didst  give  them  to  me, 
and  they  have  kept  thy  word.  Now  they  know  that  all  the 
things  that  thou  hast  given  me  are  from  thee.  For  the  words 
that  thou  didst  give  me  I  have  given  them,  and  they  have 
accepted  them  and  have  perceived  truly  that  I  came  forth  from 
thee,  and  they  have  believed  that  thou  didst  send  me. 

“  I  pray  for  them.  I  do  not  pray  for  the  world,  but  for  those 
whom  thou  hast  given  me,  for  they  are  thine.  All  mine  are  thine 
and  thine  are  mine,  and  I  have  been  glorified  in  them.  Now  I  am 
no  longer  in  the  world,  but  these  are  in  the  world,  and  I  am 
coming  to  thee.  Holy  Father,  keep  in  thy  name  those  whom 
thou  hast  given  to  me,  that  they  may  be  one,  as  we  are.  When 
I  was  with  them  I  kept  in  thy  name  those  whom  thou  hast 
given  to  me,  and  I  guarded  them,  and  none  of  them  has  per¬ 
ished  but  the  son  of  perdition,  that  the  Scripture  might  be  ful¬ 
filled.  Now  I  am  coming  to  thee,  and  these  things  I  speak  in 
the  world  that  they  may  have  my  joy  made  full  in  themselves. 
I  have  given  them  thy  word  and  the  world  has  hated  them, 
because  they  are  not  of  the  world,  just  as  I  am  not  of  the 
world.  I  do  not  pray  thee  to  take  them  out  of  the  world,  but 
to  keep  them  from  the  evil.  They  are  not  of  the  world,  just  as 
I  am  not  of  the  world.  Make  them  holy  through  the  truth. 
Thy  word  is  truth.  As  thou  didst  send  me  into  the  world,  so 
have  I  sent  them  into  the  world,  and  for  them  I  consecrate 
myself,  that  they  may  be  consecrated  through  the  truth. 

“  I  pray  not  for  them  alone,  but  also  for  those  who  believe  in 
me  Through  their  word,  that  all  may  be  one,  as  thou,  Father, 
art  in  me  and  I  in  thee,  that  they  may  be  one  in  us,  that  the 
world  may  believe  that  thou  didst  send  me.  The  glory  that  thou 
hast  given  me  I  have  given  to  them,  that  they  may  be  one  as 
we  are  one,  I  in  them  and  thou  in  me,  that  they  may  be  per¬ 
fected  into  one,  that  the  world  may  know  that  thou  didst  send 
me  and  didst  love  them  just  as  thou  didst  love  me.  Father, 
those  thou  didst  give  me  —  I  will  that  they  also  may  be  with 
me  where  I  am,  to  behold  my  glory  which  thou  hast  given 
me,  for  thou  lovedst  me  before  the  foundation  of  the  world. 
Righteous  Father,  the  world  did  not  know  thee,  but  I  knew 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


187 


thee,  and  these  knew  that  thou  didst  send  me.  I  have  made 
known  thy  name  to  them  and  will  make  it  known,  that  the  love 
with  which  thou  hast  loved  me  may  be  in  them,  and  I  in  them.” 

XVIII 

When  Jesus  had  spoken  these  words,  he  went  out  with  his 
disciples  across  the  brook  Kidron  to  a  place  where  there  was  a 
garden.  Into  this  he  entered  with  his  disciples.  Judas  who 
was  betraying  him  knew  the  place,  for  Jesus  often  met  with  his 
disciples  there.  So  Judas,  getting  a  battalion  of  soldiers  and 
some  subordinate  officers  of  the  high  priests  and  the  Pharisees, 
came  there  with  torches  and  lamps  and  weapons.  Jesus,  know¬ 
ing  all  things  that  were  coming  upon  him,  came  forward  and 
said  to  them,  “  Whom  are  you  seeking?”  They  answered  him, 
“ Jesus  the  Nazarene.”  He  said  to  them,  “I  am  he.”  Judas 
the  traitor  was  standing  with  them.  When  he  said  to  them, 
“I  am  he,”  they  moved  backward  and  fell  to  the  ground. 
Again  he  questioned  them,  “Whom  are  you  seeking?”  They 
said,  “Jesus  the  Nazarene.”  Jesus  answered,  “I  have  told  you 
that  I  am  he.  If  then  you  are  seeking  for  me,  let  these  go.”  He 
said  this  that  the  word  might  be  fulfilled  which  he  had  spoken, 
“Of  those  whom  thou  hast  given  me  I  have  lost  none.”  Simon 
Peter,  having  a  sword,  drew  it  and  struck  a  servant  of  the 
High  Priest,  cutting  off  his  right  ear.  The  servant’s  name  was 
Malchus.  Jesus  said  to  Peter,  “Put  your  sword  into  its  sheath. 
The  cup  that  my  Father  has  given  me  —  shall  I  not  drink  it?  ” 
So  the  battalion  and  the  Tribune1  and  the  Jewish  policemen 
arrested  Jesus  and  bound  him  and  took  him  first  to  Annas,  for 
he  was  the  father-in-law  of  Caiaphas  who  was  High  Priest  that 
year.  Caiaphas  was  the  man  who  had  advised  the  Jews  that  it 
was  best  that  one  man  should  die  for  the  people.  Simon  Peter 
was  following  Jesus  and  so  was  another  disciple.  That  disciple 
was  known  to  the  High  Priest  and  he  went  in  with  Jesus  into 
the  court  of  the  High  Priest.  Peter  stood  by  the  gate  outside. 
The  other  disciple,  who  was  known  to  the  High  Priest,  went 
out  and  spoke  to  the  girl  at  the  door  and  brought  in  Peter. 
The  girl  at  the  door  said  to  Peter,  “You  are  not  one  of  this 

1  A  Roman  officer  of  a  rank  near  that  of  colonel  in  our  army. 


188 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


man’s  disciples,  too,  are  you?”  He  said,  “I  am  not.”  The 
servants  and  policemen  were  standing  there.  They  had  made 
a  fire,  for  it  was  cold,  and  were  warming  themselves.  Peter  was 
with  them,  standing  and  warming  himself. 

The  High  Priest  questioned  Jesus  about  his  disciples  and  his 
teaching.  Jesus  answered  him,  “I  have  spoken  frankly  to  the 
world.  I  constantly  taught  in  synagogues  and  in  the  Temple 
courts  where  all  the  Jews  assemble,  and  I  have  spoken  nothing 
in  secret.  Why  do  you  question  me?  Question  my  hearers 
what  I  said  to  them.  Certainly  they  know  what  I  said.” 
When  he  said  this,  a  policeman,  who  was  standing  by,  gave 
Jesus  a  slap,  saying,  “Do  you  answer  the  High  Priest  that 
way?”  Jesus  answered  him,  “If  I  have  spoken  wrongly,  bear 
witness  against  me  of  the  wrong;  but  if  I  have  spoken  rightly, 
why  do  you  strike  me?”  Annas  sent  him  bound  to  Caiaphas 
the  High  Priest. 

Simon  Peter  was  standing  and  warming  himself.  They  said 
to  him,  “Are  not  you  also  one  of  his  disciples?”  He  denied  it 
and  said,  “  I  am  not.”  One  of  the  servants  of  the  High  Priest,  a 
relative  of  the  man  whose  ear  Peter  had  cut  off,  said,  “Did  I 
not  see  you  in  the  garden  with  him?”  Again  Peter  denied, 
and  immediately  a  cock  crowed. 

They  led  Jesus  from  Caiaphas  to  the  Castle.  It  was  early 
morning.  The  Jews  did  not  enter  the  Castle,  wishing  to  avoid 
defilement,  so  that  they  might  eat  the  Passover.  Pilate  went 
out  to  them  and  said,  “What  charge  do  you  bring  against  this 
man?”  They  answered,  “If  he  were  not  an  evil-doer,  we 
should  not  have  handed  him  over  to  you.”  Pilate  said  to  them, 
“Take  him  yourselves  and  judge  him  by  your  law.”  The  Jews 
said  to  him,  “It  is  not  lawful  for  us  to  put  any  one  to  death.” 
They  said  this  that  the  word  of  Jesus  might  be  fulfilled  —  the 
word  he  had  spoken  indicating  by  what  death  he  was  to  die. 
Pilate  entered  the  Castle  again  and  called  Jesus  and  said  to  him, 
“Are  you  the  King  of  the  Jews?”  Jesus  answered,  “Do  you 
say  this  of  yourself  or  did  others  tell  you  about  me?”  Pilate  an¬ 
swered,  “  I  am  not  a  Jew,  am  I?  Your  nation  and  the  high 
priests  have  handed  you  over  to  me.  What  have  you  done?” 
Jesus  answered,  “  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world.  If  my  king- 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


189 


dom  were  of  this  world,  my  subordinates  would  be  fighting  to 
prevent  my  being  delivered  up  to  the  Jews.  But  now  my  king¬ 
dom  is  not  from  here.”  Pilate  said  to  him,  “  Are  you  not  a  king 
then?”  Jesus  answered,  “I  am  a  king,  as  you  say.  For  this  I 
was  bom  and  for  this  I  have  come  into  the  world,  to  bear  wit¬ 
ness  to  the  truth.  Every  one  who  is  of  the  truth  listens  to  my 
voice.” 

Pilate  said  to  him,  “What  is  truth?”  After  saying  this  he 
went  out  again  to  the  Jews  and  said  to  them,  “I  find  no  crime 
in  him.  But  you  have  a  custom  that  I  should  release  for  you  one 
at  the  Passover.  Do  you  want  me  to  release  for  you  the  King 
of  the  Jews?”  They  shouted  again,  saying,  “Not  this  man, 
but  Barabbas!”  Barabbas  was  a  robber. 

XIX 

Then  Pilate  took  Jesus  and  scourged  him.  The  soldiers  twisted 
a  crown  of  thorns  and  placed  it  on  his  head,  threw  around  him 
a  purple  cloak,  and  kept  coming  up  to  him  and  saying,  “Hail, 
King  of  the  Jews!”  and  slapping  him.  Pilate  went  out  again 
and  said  to  them,  “See,  I  am  bringing  him  out  to  you  that 
you  may  know  that  I  find  no  crime  in  him.”  Jesus  came  out 
wearing  the  crown  of  thorns  and  the  purple  cloak.  Pilate  said 
to  them,  “Here  is  the  man!”  When  the  high  priests  and  their 
subordinates  saw  him,  they  shouted,  “Crucify  him,  crucify 
him!”  Pilate  said,  “You  take  him  and  crucify  him.  For  I  find 
no  crime  in  him.”  The  Jews  answered,  “We  have  a  law  and 
by  that  law  he  ought  to  die,  because  he  made  himself  the  Son 
of  God.”  When  Pilate  heard  that,  he  was  more  alarmed  and 
went  into  the  Castle  and  said  to  Jesus,  “Where  do  you  come 
from?”  But  Jesus  gave  him  no  answer.  Pilate  said  to  him, 
“Do  you  not  speak  to  me?  Do  you  not  know  that  I  have 
authority  to  release  you  and  authority  to  crucify  you?”  Jesus 
answered,  “You  would  not  have  any  authority  over  me  if  it 
were  not  given  you  from  above.  For  this  reason  he  who  de¬ 
livered  me  to  you  has  a  greater  sin.”  After  this,  Pilate  kept 
trying  to  release  him,  but  the  Jews  shouted,  “If  you  let  this 
man  go  you  are  not  a  friend  of  Caesar.  Every  one  who  makes 
himself  a  king  speaks  against  Caesar.”  Pilate,  on  hearing  these 


190 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


words,  brought  Jesus  out  and  sat  down  on  the  judge’s  seat  in 
the  place  called  the  Mosaic  Pavement  —  in  Hebrew,  Gab- 
batha.  It  was  the  Preparation  Day  of  the  Passover,  about 
noon.  He  said  to  the  Jews,  “See  your  king!”  They  shouted, 
“Away  with  him,  away  with  him!  Crucify  him!”  Pilate  said 
to  them,  “Shall  I  crucify  your  king?”  The  high  priests  an¬ 
swered,  “We  have  no  king  but  Caesar.”  Then  he  delivered 
him  to  them  to  be  crucified. 

So  they  took  Jesus  and  laid  on  him  his  cross  and  went  out  to 
what  is  called  Skull  Place  —  in  Hebrew,  Golgotha  —  where 
they  crucified  him.  And  with  him  they  crucified  two  others, 
one  on  this  side  and  one  on  that,  and  Jesus  between  them. 
Pilate  wrote  a  sign  and  put  it  up  on  the  cross.  It  was  written: 

JESUS  THE  NAZARENE  THE  KING  OF  THE  JEWS 

Many  of  the  Jews  read  this  sign,  for  the  place  where  Jesus 
was  crucified  was  near  the  city,  and  it  was  written  in  Hebrew, 
in  Latin,  and  in  Greek.  The  high  priests  of  the  Jews  said  to 
Pilate,  “Do  not  write,  ‘The  King  of  the  Jews/  but,  ‘This  man 
said,  I  am  King  of  the  Jews.’”  Pilate  answered,  “What  I  have 
written,  I  have  written.” 

The  soldiers,  when  they  had  crucified  Jesus,  took  his  clothes 
and  made  four  parts,  a  part  to  each  soldier,  and  there  was  his 
tunic  besides.  The  tunic  was  seamless,  woven  from  the  top 
entire.  They  said  to  one  another,  “Let  us  not  tear  it,  but  cast 
lots  who  shall  have  it.”  This  was  so  that  the  Scripture  might 
be  fulfilled,  “They  parted  my  garments  among  them  and  on 
my  clothing  they  cast  lots.”  The  soldiers  did  this. 

There  were  standing  beside  the  cross  of  Jesus  his  mother  and 
his  mother’s  sister,  Mary  the  wife  of  Clopas,  and  Mary  Mag¬ 
dalene.  When  Jesus  saw  his  mother  and  the  disciple  whom  he 
loved  standing  there,  he  said  to  his  mother,  “Woman,  there  is 
your  son.”  Then  he  said  to  the  disciple,  “There  is  your 
mother.”  From  that  hour  the  disciple  took  her  to  his  own 
home. 

After  this,  Jesus  knowing  that  now  all  things  had  been  com¬ 
pleted,  in  order  that  the  Scripture  might  be  fulfilled  said,  “I 
am  thirsty.”  A  pitcher  was  standing  there  full  of  sour  wine. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


191 


Putting  a  sponge  full  of  sour  wine  on  a  hyssop  stem,  they  raised 
it  to  his  mouth.  When  Jesus  had  taken  the  sour  wine,  he  said, 
“It  is  finished,”  and  bowing  his  head  gave  up  his  spirit. 

The  Jews,  because  it  was  Preparation  Day,  in  order  that  the 
bodies  might  not  remain  on  the  cross  on  the  Sabbath,  for  that 
Sabbath  was  a  great  day,  requested  Pilate  to  have  their  legs 
broken  to  kill  them.  So  the  soldiers  came  and  broke  the  legs  of 
the  first  man  and  of  the  other  who  was  crucified  with  him. 
But,  coming  to  Jesus,  when  they  saw  him  already  dead,  they 
did  not  break  his  legs.  But  one  of  the  soldiers  with  his  spear 
pierced  his  side  and  immediately  there  came  forth  blood  and 
water.  He  who  saw  it  has  borne  witness  and  his  witness  is 
true,  and  he  knows  that  he  speaks  the  truth  in  order  that  you 
may  believe.  For  this  happened  that  the  Scripture  might  be 
fulfilled,  “A  bone  of  him  shall  not  be  broken.”  And  again 
another  Scripture  says,  “They  will  look  on  him  whom  they 
have  pierced.” 

After  this,  Joseph  of  Arimathsca,  who  was  a  disciple  of 
Jesus,  but  secretly  for  fear  of  the  Jews,  asked  of  Pilate  per¬ 
mission  to  carry  away  the  body  of  Jesus,  and  Pilate  granted  it. 
So  he  came  and  carried  his  body  away.  Nicodemus,  the  man 
who  came  to  him  at  first  by  night,  came  also  bringing  a 
mixture  of  myrrh  and  aloes,  about  a  hundred  pounds  weight- 
They  took  the  body  of  Jesus  and  wrapped  it  in  linen  cloths 
with  the  spices,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  Jews  in  prepar¬ 
ing  for  burial.  There  was  in  the  place  where  he  had  been 
crucified  a  garden  and  in  the  garden  a  new  tomb  in  which  no 
one  had  been  laid.  There,  on  account  of  the  Preparation  of  the 
Jews,  because  the  tomb  was  near,  they  laid  Jesus. 

XX 

On  the  first  day  of  the  week,  early  in  the  morning  while  it  was 
still  dark,  Mary  Magdalene  came  to  the  tomb  and  saw  that  the 
stone  had  been  taken  from  the  tomb.  She  ran  and  came  to 
Simon  Peter  and  to  the  other  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved,  and 
said  to  them,  “They  have  taken  away  the  Master  from  the 
tomb  and  we  do  not  know  where  they  have  laid  him.”  Simon 
Peter  and  the  other  disciple  went  out  and  made  their  way  to 


192 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


the  tomb.  They  were  both  running,  and  the  other  disciple 
outran  Peter  and  came  first  to  the  tomb,  and  stooping  he  saw 
the  linen  cloths  lying;  but  he  did  not  enter.  Simon  Peter 
came  following  him  and  entered  the  tomb  and  looked  at  the 
linen  cloths  lying  and  the  handkerchief  that  had  been  about 
his  head,  not  lying  with  the  linen  cloths,  but  rolled  up  in  a 
place  apart.  Then  the  other  disciple  who  had  come  first  to  the 
tomb  entered,  and  he  saw  and  believed.  For  they  did  not  yet 
know  the  Scripture  that  he  must  rise  from  the  dead.  Then  the 
disciples  went  back  to  where  they  were  staying. 

Mary  was  standing  by  the  tomb  outside  weeping.  As  she 
wept  she  stooped  and  looked  into  the  tomb  and  saw  two  angels 
in  white  sitting  one  at  the  head  and  one  at  the  feet  where  the 
body  of  Jesus  had  lain.  They  said  to  her,  “  Woman,  why  are 
you  weeping?”  She  said  to  them,  “ Because  they  have  carried 
away  my  Master  and  I  do  not  know  where  they  have  laid  him.” 
After  saying  this,  she  turned  and  saw  Jesus  standing,  but  did 
not  recognize  that  it  was  Jesus.  Jesus  said  to  her,  “Woman, 
why  are  you  weeping?  Whom  are  you  seeking?”  She,  think¬ 
ing  that  he  was  the  gardener,  said  to  him,  “Sir,  if  you  have 
removed  him,  tell  me  where  you  have  laid  him  and  I  will  take 
him  away.”  Jesus  said  to  her,  “Mary!”  She  turned  and  said 
to  him  in  Hebrew,  “  Rabboni !  ”  (that  is,  Teacher).  Jesus  said 
to  her,  “  Do  not  cling  to  me,  for  I  have  not  yet  ascended  to  the 
Father.  But  go  to  my  brethren  and  say  to  them,  ‘I  am  ascend¬ 
ing  to  my  Father  and  your  Father,  to  my  God  and  your  God.’  ” 
Mary  Magdalene  came  and  told  the  disciples,  “I  have  seen 
the  Master,”  and  she  told  that  he  had  said  these  things  to  her. 

In  the  evening  of  that  day,  the  first  day  of  the  week,  when 
the  doors  had  been  closed  where  the  disciples  were,  for  fear  of 
the  Jews,  Jesus  came  and  stood  in  the  midst  and  said  to  them, 
“Peace  be  with  you.”  When  he  had  said  this,  he  showed  them 
his  hands  and  his  side.  The  disciples  were  filled  with  joy  on 
seeing  the  Master.  He  said  to  them  again,  “  Peace  be  with  you. 
As  the  Father  sent  me  forth  so  I  am  sending  you.”  When  he 
had  said  this,  he  breathed  on  them  and  said,  “Receive  the 
Holy  Spirit.  If  you  forgive  the  sins  of  any,  they  are  forgiven. 
If  you  retain  the  sins  of  any,  they  are  retained.” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


193 


Thomas,  one  of  the  twelve,  called  Didymus  (the  Twin),  was 
not  with  them  when  Jesus  came.  The  other  disciples  said  to 
him,  “We  have  seen  the  Master.”  But  he  said  to  them, 
“Unless  I  see  in  his  hands  the  print  of  the  nails  and  put  my 
finger  into  the  print  of  the  nails  and  put  my  hand  into  his  side, 
I  will  not  believe  it.” 

After  eight  days  the  disciples  were  again  within  and  Thomas 
was  with  them.  Jesus  came  and  stood  in  the  midst  and  said, 
“Peace  be  with  you.”  Then  he  said  to  Thomas,  “Reach  your 
finger  here.  Here  are  my  hands.  Reach  your  hand  and  put  it 
into  my  side,  and  become  not  faithless,  but  believing.”  Thomas 
answered  him,  “My  Lord  and  my  God!”  Jesus  said  to  him, 
“Because  you  have  seen  me  you  have  believed.  Blessed  are 
those  who  have  not  seen  and  yet  have  believed.” 

Jesus  did  before  the  disciples  many  other  signs  which  are  not 
written  in  this  book.  But  these  are  written  that  you  may  be¬ 
lieve  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  and  that  believing 
you  may  have  life  through  his  name. 

XXI 

After  this,  Jesus  showed  himself  again  to  the  disciples  at  the 
Lake  of  Tiberias.  He  showed  himself  in  this  way.  There  were 
together  Simon  Peter  and  Thomas,  called  Didymus  (the  Twin), 
and  Nathanael  of  Cana  in  Galilee,  and  the  sons  of  Zebedee 
and  two  other  disciples.  Simon  Peter  said  to  them,  “I  am 
going  fishing.”  They  said,  “  We  will  go  along  with  you.”  They 
went  out  and  got  into  a  boat,  but  that  night  they  caught 
nothing. 

When  day  was  breaking,  Jesus  stood  on  the  beach.  The 
disciples,  however,  did  not  recognize  that  it  was  Jesus.  Jesus 
said  to  them,  “Children,  have  you  anything  to  eat?”  They 
answered  him,  “No.”  He  said  to  them,  “Cast  the  net  on  the 
right  side  of  the  boat  and  you  will  find  some.”  They  cast,  and 
now  they  could  not  draw  it  in  for  the  multitude  of  fishes.  That 
disciple  whom  Jesus  loved  said  to  Peter,  “It  is  the  Master!” 
Simon  Peter,  on  hearing  that  it  was  the  Master,  girded  around 
him  his  blouse,  for  he  was  naked,  and  threw  himself  into  the 
lake.  The  other  disciples  came  in  the  small  boat,  for  they  were 


194 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


not  far  from  land  —  about  a  hundred  yards  —  dragging  the 
netful  of  fish.  When  they  had  gotten  out  on  land,  they  saw  a 
fire  of  coals  and  fish  laid  on  it  and  bread.  Jesus  said  to  them, 
“  Bring  some  of  the  fish  that  you  have  just  caught.”  Simon 
Peter  got  into  the  boat  and  drew  the  net  to  land  full  of  big 
fishes  —  a  hundred  and  fifty-three  —  and  though  there  were 
so  many  the  net  was  not  torn.  Jesus  said,  “Come,  take  break¬ 
fast.”  No  one  of  the  disciples  dared  to  ask  him  who  he  was, 
knowing  that  it  was  the  Master.  Jesus  came  and  took  bread 
and  gave  to  them,  and  fish  in  the  same  manner.  This  is  now  the 
third  time  that  Jesus  showed  himself  to  the  disciples  after 
rising  from  the  dead. 

When  they  had  breakfasted,  Jesus  said  to  Simon  Peter, 
“ Simon,  son  of  John,  do  you  love  me  more  than  these?”  He 
said  to  him,  “Yes,  Master,  you  know  that  I  love  you.”  He 
said  to  him,  “Feed  my  lambs.”  He  said  to  him  a  second  time, 
“  Simon,  son  of  John,  do  you  love  me?  ”  He  said  to  him,  “  Yes, 
Master,  you  know  that  I  love  you.”  He  said  to  him,  “Shep¬ 
herd  my  sheep.”  He  said  to  him  the  third  time,  “Simon,  son 
of  John,  do  you  love  me?”  Peter  was  grieved  because  he  said 
to  him  the  third  time,  “Do  you  love  me?”  and  he  said  to  him, 
“Master,  you  know  all  things.  You  know  that  I  love  you.” 
Jesus  said  to  him,  “Feed  my  sheep.  Truly,  truly,  I  tell  you, 
when  you  were  young,  you  girded  yourself  and  walked  about 
wherever  you  wished.  When  you  are  old,  you  will  stretch  out 
your  hands  and  another  will  gird  you  and  carry  you  where  you 
do  not  wish.”  This  he  said,  indicating  the  kind  of  death  by 
which  he  would  glorify  God. 

After  saying  this  he  said  to  him,  “Follow  me.”  Peter 
turned  and  saw  the  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved,  following.  (It 
was  he  who  at  the  supper  had  leaned  on  Jesus’  breast  and  said, 
“Lord,  who  is  it  that  will  betray  you?”)  Peter,  seeing  him, 
said  to  Jesus,  “Master,  what  shall  this  man  do?”  Jesus  said 
to  him,  “  If  I  choose  to  have  him  stay  until  I  come,  what  is  that 
to  you?  You  must  follow  me.”  So  the  report  went  out  among 
the  brethren  that  that  disciple  was  not  to  die.  But  Jesus  did 
not  say  to  Peter  that  he  would  not  die,  but,  “  If  I  choose  to  have 
him  stay  until  I  come,  what  is  that  to  you?” 


THE  GOOD  NEWS  TOLD  BY  JOHN 


195 


This  is  the  disciple  who  witnesses  to  these  things  and  who 
wrote  these  things,  and  we  know  that  his  testimony  is  true. 

There  are  also  many  other  things  that  Jesus  did,  but  if  these 
are  written,  every  one,  I  do  not  think  that  the  world  itself  will 
have  room  for  the  books  when  written. 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


i 

In  my  first  book,  Theophilus,  I  told  of  all  that  Jesus  did  and 
taught  from  the  beginning  down  to  the  day  when,  after  giving 
commands,  through  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  the  apostles  whom  he 
had  chosen,  he  was  taken  up  to  heaven.  By  many  proofs  he 
revealed  himself  to  these  men  as  still  alive  after  his  sufferings; 
for  he  was  seen  by  them  for  forty  days  and  spoke  of  things  re¬ 
lating  to  the  kingdom  of  God.  Also  while  eating  with  them,  he 
charged  them  not  to  leave  Jerusalem,  but  to  wait  for  the  promise 
of  the  Father,  “ which/’  said  he,  “you  have  heard  from  me. 
For  John  baptized  with  water,  but  you  will  be  baptized  with 
the  Holy  Spirit  not  many  days  hence.” 

When  they  came  together,  they  asked  him,  “Master,  will 
you  at  this  time  restore  the  kingdom  to  Israel?”  He  said  to 
them,  “  It  is  not  yours  to  know  the  times  and  seasons  which  the 
Father  has  put  under  his  own  authority.  But  you  will  receive 
power  after  the  Holy  Spirit  has  come  upon  you,  and  you  will 
be  witnesses  for  me  in  Jerusalem  and  in  all  Judsea  and  in 
Samaria  and  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.” 

He  said  this  and  then,  while  they  were  looking  on,  he  was 
taken  up  and  a  cloud  lifted  him  from  their  sight.  They  were 
gazing  into  the  sky  as  he  went,  when  suddenly  two  men  in 
white  robes  were  standing  beside  them  and  said,  “Men  of 
Galilee,  why  are  you  standing  and  looking  up  into  the  sky? 
This  Jesus,  who  has  been  taken  from  you  into  heaven,  will  come 
back  in  the  same  way  that  you  have  seen  him  go  into  heaven.” 

They  then  returned  to  Jerusalem  from  the  mountain  called 
the  Olive  Orchard,  which  is  near  Jerusalem,  a  Sabbath  day’s 
journey 1  distant.  When  they  came  into  the  city,  they  went  up 
to  the  upper  room  where  they  were  staying.  There  were  Peter 
and  John,  and  James  and  Andrew,  Philip  and  Thomas,  Barthol¬ 
omew  and  Matthew,  James  the  son  of  Alphseus  and  Simon  the 

1  A  little  less  than  three  quarters  of  a  mile. 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


197 


Zealot,  and  Judas  the  son  of  James.  All  of  these  continued 
earnestly  and  unitedly  in  prayer  with  the  women  and  Mary 
the  mother  of  Jesus  and  with  his  brothers. 

In  those  days  Peter  stood  up  in  the  midst  of  the  brethren 
(the  company  numbered  about  a  hundred  and  twenty)  and 
said:  “ Brethren,  it  was  necessary  that  the  Scripture  should  be 
fulfilled  which  the  Holy  Spirit  spoke  through  the  mouth  of 
David  concerning  Judas,  who  became  guide  to  those  who  ar¬ 
rested  Jesus.  For  he  was  numbered  among  us  and  received  a 
share  in  this  service.  (This  man  bought  a  piece  of  land  with  the 
price  of  his  wickedness,  and  falling  headlong  he  burst  asunder 
and  all  his  entrails  were  poured  out.  It  became  known  to  all 
the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  so  that  that  field  was  called  in 
their  own  language  Akeldama,  that  is,  the  Field  of  Blood.) 
For  it  is  written  in  the  book  of  Psalms,  ‘Let  his  dwelling  be¬ 
come  desolate  and  let  there  be  no  one  living  in  it/  and,  ‘  His 
overseership  let  another  take.’  It  is  needful,  therefore,  that  of 
the  men  who  have  been  with  us  during  all  the  time  that  the 
Lord  Jesus  went  in  and  out  among  us,  from  the  baptism  of 
John  down  to  the  day  that  he  was  taken  up  from  us  —  that  one 
of  these  should  become  a  witness  with  us  of  his  resurrection.” 
So  they  put  forward  two,  Joseph  who  is  called  Barsabbas,  sur- 
named  Justus,  and  Matthias.  In  prayer  they  said,  “O  Lord, 
thou  who  knowest  the  hearts  of  all,  show  which  one  of  these 
two  thou  has  chosen  to  take  the  place  in  this  service  and 
apostleship  which  Judas  deserted  to  go  to  his  own  place.” 
Then  they  cast  lots  between  them.  The  lot  fell  on  Matthias 
and  he  was  numbered  with  the  eleven  apostles. 

II 

During  the  course  of  the  day  of  Pentecost  they  were  all  to¬ 
gether  in  the  same  place,  when  suddenly  there  came  from 
heaven  a  sound  as  of  a  strong  rushing  wind,  and  it  filled  all  the 
house  where  they  were  sitting.  Then  there  appeared  to  them, 
as  it  were,  tongues  of  flame  distributing  themselves,  and  one 
rested  on  each  of  them.  They  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy 
Spirit  and  began  to  speak  in  foreign  tongues,  as  the  Spirit 
gave  them  power  of  expression. 


198 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


There  were  Jews  living  in  Jerusalem,  pious  men  from  every 
nation  under  heaven.  When  this  sound  was  heard,  the  crowd 
came  together  and  were  astonished  because  each  one  heard 
them  speaking  in  his  own  language.  They  were  amazed  and, 
wondering,  said,  “Are  not  all  these  who  are  talking,  Galilseans? 
How  then  does  each  of  us  hear  them  in  his  own  native  language? 
Parthians  and  Medes  and  Elamites  and  those  who  live  in 
Mesopotamia,  Judaea  and  Cappadocia,  Pontus  and  Asia, 
Phrygia  and  Pamphilia,  Egypt  and  the  regions  of  Libya  toward 
Cyrene,  visitors  from  Borne,  Jews  and  proselytes,  Cretans 
and  Arabians  —  we  hear  them  speaking  in  our  languages  the 
mighty  works  of  God.”  They  were  all  astonished  and  at  a  loss, 
one  saying  to  another,  “What  does  this  mean?”  Some  scoff- 
ingly  said,  “They  are  full  of  sweet  wine.” 

But  Peter,  standing  up  with  the  eleven,  raised  his  voice  and 
declared  to  them:  “Fellow  Jews,  and  all  of  you  who  live  in 
Jerusalem,  understand  this  and  listen  to  my  words.  These 
are  not  drunk,  as  you  assume,  for  it  is  only  nine  o’clock  in  the 
morning;  but  this  is  what  was  spoken  through  the  prophet  Joel: 
*  It  will  be  in  the  last  days,  says  God,  that  I  will  pour  out  my 
Spirit  upon  all  mankind,  and  your  sons  and  your  daughters  will 
prophesy,  and  your  young  men  will  see  visions,  and  your  old  men 
will  dream  dreams.  Yes,  upon  the  slave  men  and  slave  girls  that 
are  mine  I  will  pour  out  my  Spirit  in  those  days,  and  they  will 
prophesy.  I  will  give  portents  in  heaven  above  and  signs  on 
the  earth  beneath,  blood  and  fire  and  vapor  of  smoke.  The 
sun  will  be  turned  into  darkness  and  the  moon  into  blood  before 
the  day  of  the  Lord  comes  —  that  great  and  glorious  day.  And 
every  one  who  calls  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  will  be  saved.’ 
Fellow  Israelites,  listen  to  these  words:  Jesus  the  Nazarene 
was  a  man  proved  to  be  sent  to  you  from  God  by  miracles, 
wonders,  and  signs  which  God  did  through  him  in  the  midst 
of  you,  as  you  yourselves  know.  But  when  he  had  been  de¬ 
livered  up  according  to  the  fixed  purpose  and  foreknowledge 
of  God,  you  crucified  and  killed  him  through  the  hands  of  law¬ 
less  men.  But  God  freed  him  from  the  pangs  of  death  and 
raised  him  up,  since  it  was  impossible  that  he  should  be  held 
under  the  power  of  death.  For  David  says  of  him,  4 1  saw  the 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


199 


Lord  always  before  my  face,  for  he  is  at  my  right  hand  so  that 
I  may  not  be  cast  down.  Therefore  my  heart  is  glad  and  my 
tongue  rejoices,  and  my  flesh  still  dwells  in  hope  that  thou 
wilt  not  leave  my  soul  to  Hades  and  wilt  not  let  thy  holy  one 
see  decay.  Thou  makest  me  know  the  paths  of  life.  Thou  wilt 
fill  me  with  joy  in  thy  presence/ 

“  Brethren,  allow  me  to  say  frankly  to  you  regarding  the 
patriarch  David  that  he  died  and  was  buried  and  his  tomb  is 
among  us  to  this  day.  But  being  a  prophet  and  knowing  that 
God  had  sworn  to  him  an  oath  to  place  a  descendant  of  his 
body  upon  his  throne,  he  foreseeing  spoke  of  the  resurrection 
of  the  Christ,  saying  that  he  was  not  left  to  Hades  and  that 
his  flesh  did  not  see  decay.  This  Jesus,  God  raised  up,  and  all 
of  us  are  witnesses  of  it.  Therefore  having  been  exalted  to  the 
right  hand  of  God  and  having  received  from  the  Father  the 
promise  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  has  poured  out  this  which  you 
see  and  hear.  For  David  did  not  ascend  into  the  heavens,  but 
he  says,  ‘The  Lord  said  to  my  Lord,  Sit  at  my  right  hand, 
till  I  make  your  enemies  your  footstool/  Let  all  the  house  of 
Israel  know  surely  that  this  Jesus,  whom  you  crucified,  God 
has  made  both  Lord  and  Christ/’ 

Hearing  this  they  were  cut  to  the  heart  and  said  to  Peter 
and  the  other  apostles,  “  What  shall  we  do,  brethren?”  Peter 
said  to  them,  “  Repent  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  forgiveness  of  your  sins,  and 
you  will  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  For  the  promise 
belongs  to  you  and  to  your  children  and  to  all  those  who  are 
far  off,  as  many  as  the  Lord  your  God  may  call/’  With  many 
other  words  he  bore  witness  and  exhorted  them,  “Save  your¬ 
selves  from  this  perverse  generation.”  Those  who  accepted  his 
message  were  baptized,  and  there  were  added  on  that  day  about 
three  thousand  souls.  These  gave  constant  attention  to  the 
teaching  of  the  apostles  and  to  the  fellowship  and  the  breaking 
of  bread  and  the  prayers. 

Awe  came  on  every  soul.  Many  wonders  and  signs  were 
done  by  the  apostles.  All  who  believed  had  all  things  together 
in  common.  They  would  sell  their  lands  and  goods  and  dis¬ 
tribute  to  all  as  any  one  had  need.  Every  day,  continuing  with 


200 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


one  accord  in  the  Temple  courts  and  in  breaking  bread  from 
house  to  house,  they  ate  together  in  joy  and  simplicity  of 
heart,  praising  God  and  having  favor  with  all  the  people.  The 
Lord  added  daily  to  their  number  those  who  were  being  saved. 

Ill 

Peter  and  John  were  going  up  into  the  Temple  courts  at  the 
hour  of  prayer,  three  o’clock,  when  a  man  lame  from  his  birth 
was  being  carried  along.  This  man  used  to  be  placed  every  day 
near  the  gate  of  the  Temple  courts  —  the  one  called  the  Beau¬ 
tiful  Gate  —  to  beg  of  those  who  were  entering.  Seeing  Peter 
and  John  about  to  go  into  the  Temple  courts,  he  begged  to 
receive  something.  But  Peter  fixing  his  eyes  on  him,  along  with 
John,  said,  “  Look  at  us.”  He  gave  attention  to  them,  expecting 
to  receive  something  from  them.  But  Peter  said,  “Silver  and 
gold  I  have  not;  but  what  I  have  I  will  give  you.  In  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ  the  Nazarene,  walk.”  Grasping  his  right  hand 
he  lifted  him  up.  Immediately  his  feet  and  ankles  became 
strong,  and  he  sprang  up  and  stood  and  walked  and  entered  the 
Temple  court  with  them,  walking  and  leaping  and  praising 
God.  All  the  people  saw  him  walking  about  and  praising 
God,  and  when  they  recognized  that  it  was  he  who  had  sat 
begging  at  the  Beautiful  Gate  of  the  Temple  court,  they 
were  filled  with  wonder  and  amazement  at  what  had  happened 
to  him. 

While  he  still  clung  to  Peter  and  John,  all  the  people  ran 
crowding  around  them  in  what  was  called  Solomon’s  Colon¬ 
nade,  greatly  astonished.  Peter,  seeing  the  people,  explained, 
“Fellow  Israelites,  why  do  you  wonder  at  this,  or  why  do  you 
gaze  so  at  us,  as  if  by  our  own  power  or  piety  we  had  made  him 
walk?  The  God  of  Abraham  and  of  Isaac  and  of  Jacob,  the 
God  of  our  fathers,  has  glorified  his  servant  Jesus  whom  you 
delivered  up  and  disowned  before  Pilate  when  he  had  decided 
to  release  him.  You  disowned  the  holy  and  righteous  one  and 
begged  to  have  a  murderer  granted  you.  You  killed  the  Author 
of  life,  but  God  raised  him  from  the  dead.  Of  this  we  are  wit¬ 
nesses.  And  now  by  faith  in  his  name  this  man  whom  you  see 
and  know  has  been  made  strong  by  his  name,  and  the  faith  that 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES  201 

is  through  him  has  given  this  man  this  perfect  soundness  before 
you  all. 

“Now,  brethren,  I  know  that  you  acted  in  ignorance,  as  also 
your  rulers  did.  God  in  this  way  fulfilled  what  he  had  pre¬ 
dicted  through  the  mouths  of  all  the  prophets  that  his  Christ 
should  suffer.  Therefore,  repent  and  turn  about,  that  your  sins 
may  be  wiped  away  and  the  gracious  face  of  the  Lord  may  bring 
times  of  refreshing,  and  he  may  send  Jesus  Christ,  long  ago 
appointed,  but  whom  heaven  must  receive  until  the  times  of 
the  restoration  of  all  things,  of  which  God  spoke  through  the 
mouths  of  his  holy  prophets  of  old. 

“Moses  indeed  said,  ‘The  Lord  God  will  raise  up  for  you  a 
prophet  from  among  your  brethren,  as  he  raised  me;  listen  to  all 
that  he  may  say  to  you.  It  shall  be  that  every  person  who  does 
not  listen  to  that  prophet  will  be  utterly  destroyed  from  among 
the  people.’  And  all  the  prophets,  Samuel  and  those  who  fol¬ 
lowed  him,  all  who  spoke,  also  foretold  these  days.  You  are 
the  sons  of  the  prophets  and  of  the  covenant  which  God  es¬ 
tablished  with  your  fathers  when  he  said  to  Abraham,  ‘  In  your 
descendants  all  the  families  of  the  earth  will  be  blessed.’  To 
you  first  God,  when  he  raised  up  his  servant,  sent  him,  to  bless 
you  by  turning  each  one  of  you  from  his  wicked  ways.” 

IV 

While  they  were  speaking  to  the  people,  the  priests  and  the 
commandant  of  the  Temple  and  the  Sadducees  came  upon 
them,  being  offended  because  they  were  teaching  the  people 
and  proclaiming  in  the  case  of  Jesus  the  resurrection  from  the 
dead.  They  laid  hands  on  them  and  placed  them  in  custody 
until  the  next  day,  for  it  was  already  evening.  But  many  of 
those  who  had  heard  the  message  believed,  and  the  number  of 
the  men  grew  to  be  about  five  thousand. 

On  the  next  day  there  was  a  gathering  of  their  rulers  and 
elders  and  scribes  in  Jerusalem,  with  Annas  the  High  Priest 
and  Caiaphas  and  John  and  Alexander  and  all  who  were  of 
high  priestly  race.  They  placed  the  apostles  in  the  midst  and 
asked  them,  “By  what  power  and  in  what  name  did  you  do 
this?”  Then  Peter,  full  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  said  to  them, 


202 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


“Rulers  of  the  people  and  elders,  if  we  must  answer  to-day 
regarding  a  benefit  done  to  an  infirm  man,  by  what  name  he 
has  been  healed,  be  it  known  to  all  of  you  and  to  all  the  people 
of  Israel,  that  by  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  the  Nazarene, 
whom  you  crucified,  whom  God  raised  from  the  dead  —  by 
this  name,  this  man  stands  here  before  you  sound.  This  is  the 
stone  which  was  despised  by  you  the  builders,  and  which  has 
become  the  corner  stone.  Nor  is  there  salvation  in  any  other. 
For  there  is  no  other  name  under  heaven  given  among  men  by 
which  we  must  be  saved.” 

Observing  the  fearless  outspokenness  of  Peter  and  John  and 
perceiving  that  they  were  common,  uneducated  men,  they  were 
astonished,  and  they  recognized  them  as  former  compan¬ 
ions  of  Jesus.  Seeing  the  man  who  had  been  healed  standing 
there  with  the  apostles,  they  had  nothing  to  say  in  opposition. 
After  ordering  them  to  go  out  of  the  council,  they  conferred 
together,  saying,  “What  shall  we  do  to  these  men?  For  that 
a  notable  miracle  has  been  done  by  them  is  plain  to  all  who  live 
in  Jerusalem,  and  we  cannot  deny  it.  But  that  it  may  not 
spread  further  among  the  people,  let  us  sternly  forbid  them  to 
speak  any  longer  in  this  name  to  any  one.”  So,  calling  them 
in,  they  commanded  them  absolutely  not  to  speak  or  teach  in 
the  name  of  Jesus.  But  Peter  and  John  answered  them, 
“Whether  it  is  right  in  the  sight  of  God  to  listen  to  you  rather 
than  to  God,  judge  for  yourselves.  We,  for  our  part,  cannot 
refrain  from  saying  what  we  have  seen  and  heard.”  The  Coun¬ 
cil  after  further  threats  set  them  at  liberty,  not  finding  any 
way  to  punish  them  on  account  of  the  people;  for  all  were 
giving  glory  to  God  because  of  what  had  happened.  For  the 
man  upon  whom  this  miracle  of  healing  had  been  performed 
was  more  than  forty  years  old. 

The  apostles  upon  being  released  came  to  their  friends  and 
told  them  all  that  the  high  priests  and  the  elders  had  said. 
They  hearing  it  unitedly  lifted  up  their  prayer  to  God  and 
said,  “0  Lord,  thou  who  didst  make  the  heaven  and  the  earth 
and  the  sea  and  all  things  that  are  in  them,  who  through  the 
Holy  Spirit  by  the  mouth  of  our  father  David,  thy  servant, 
didst  say,  ‘  Why  do  the  heathen  rage  and  the  people  imagine 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


203 


vain  things?  The  kings  of  the  earth  set  themselves  and  the 
rulers  are  gathered  together  against  the  Lord  and  against  his 
Christ  ’  —  for  truly  in  this  city  Herod  and  Pontius  Pilate,  with 
the  Gentiles  and  the  people  of  Israel,  were  gathered  against 
thy  holy  servant  Jesus,  to  do  all  that  thy  hands  and  thy  will 
had  predetermined  should  take  place  —  now,  Lord,  look  upon 
their  threats  and  enable  thy  servants  to  speak  thy  message 
with  all  fearlessness,  while  thou  dost  stretch  out  thine  hand 
for  healing  and  while  signs  and  wonders  are  done  through  the 
name  of  thy  holy  servant  Jesus.”  After  this  prayer  the  place 
in  which  they  were  assembled  was  shaken,  and  they  were  all 
filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit  and  spoke  the  message  of  God  with 
courageous  freedom. 

The  multitude  of  those  who  had  believed  was  of  one  heart 
and  one  soul,  and  no  one  said  that  any  part  of  his  property  was 
his  own,  but  they  had  all  things  in  common.  With  great  power 
the  apostles  continued  to  bear  witness  to  the  resurrection  of 
the  Lord  Jesus.  Great  grace  was  upon  them  all.  Nor  was  any 
one  in  need  among  them,  for  all  who  were  owners  of  lands  or 
houses  would  sell  them  and  bring  the  money  for  what  had  been 
sold  and  lay  it  at  the  apostles’  feet,  and  it  would  be  distributed 
to  each  as  he  had  need.  Joseph,  to  whom  the  apostles  had 
given  the  name  Barnabas,  which  means  “Son  of  Encourage¬ 
ment,”  a  Levite  born  in  Cyprus,  being  the  owner  of  a  farm, 
sold  it  and  brought  the  money  and  laid  it  at  the  apostles’ 
feet. 


V 

But  a  man  called  Ananias,  with  Sapphira  his  wife,  sold  a  piece 
of  property  and  kept  back  a  part  of  the  price,  with  his  wife’s 
connivance,  and  brought  a  certain  part  and  laid  it  at  the  apos¬ 
tles’  feet.  Peter  said,  “Ananias,  why  has  Satan  filled  your  heart 
to  lie  to  the  Holy  Spirit  and  keep  back  part  of  the  price  of  the 
land?  While  you  had  it,  was  it  not  yours?  And  after  it  was 
sold,  was  it  not  at  your  own  disposal?  Why  have  you  con¬ 
ceived  this  deed  in  your  heart?  You  have  not  lied  to  men,  but 
to  God.”  When  Ananias  heard  these  words  he  fell  down  and 
died.  Great  fear  came  upon  all  who  heard  these  words.  Then 


204 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


the  young  men  arose  and  wrapped  him  in  a  shroud  and  car¬ 
ried  him  out  and  buried  him. 

After  an  interval  of  about  three  hours,  Ananias’  wife  came 
in,  not  knowing  what  had  happened.  Peter  asked  her,  “Tell 
me,  did  you  sell  the  land  for  so  much?”  She  answered,  “Yes, 
for  so  much.”  Peter  said  to  her,  “Why  was  it  agreed  between 
you  to  test  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord?  Even  now  the  feet  of  those 
who  have  buried  your  husband  are  at  the  door,  and  they  will 
carry  you  out.”  Immediately  she  fell  down  at  his  feet  and  died. 
The  young  men  came  in  and  found  her  dead,  and  carried  her 
out  and  buried  her  beside  her  husband.  Great  awe  came  upon 
the  whole  church  and  upon  all  who  heard  these  things. 

Many  signs  and  wonders  were  done  among  the  people  by 
the  hands  of  the  apostles.  They  were  all  with  one  purpose  in 
Solomon’s  Colonnade.  Of  the  rest  no  one  dared  join  them, 
but  the  people  honored  them  highly.  Believers  in  the  Lord 
were  more  and  more  being  added,  crowds  both  of  men  and  of 
women,  so  that  they  carried  out  the  sick  into  the  streets  and 
laid  them  on  couches  and  pallets  with  the  hope  that  as  Peter 
came  by  at  least  his  shadow  might  fall  on  some  one  of  them. 
A  crowd  was  coming  too  from  the  towns  around  Jerusalem, 
bringing  sick  people  and  those  who  were  troubled  by  impure 
spirits,  and  these  were  all  being  healed. 

But  the  High  Priest  and  all  his  party  —  the  sect  of  the  Sad- 
ducees  —  became  aroused  and  filled  with  indignation,  and  laid 
hands  on  the  apostles  and  put  them  into  the  public  jail.  But 
an  angel  of  the  Lord  opened  the  prison  doors  in  the  night  and 
led  them  out  and  said,  “Go,  stand  and  speak  to  the  people  in 
the  Temple  courts  all  the  words  of  this  life.”  On  hearing  this 
they  went  into  the  Temple  courts  about  daybreak  and  began 
teaching.  When  the  High  Priest  and  his  party  arrived,  they 
called  together  the  Council  and  all  the  eldership  of  the  children 
of  Israel  and  sent  to  the  jail  to  have  the  men  brought.  But  when 
the  officers  came  there  they  did  not  find  them  in  the  prison. 
They  returned  and  reported,  “We  found  the  prison  shut  with 
all  security  and  the  guards  standing  at  the  doors,  but  when  we 
opened  we  found  no  one  inside.”  On  hearing  these  words  the 
commandant  of  the  Temple  and  the  high  priests  were  at  a 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


205 


loss  as  to  what  this  would  grow  into.  Then  some  one  came  and 
told  them,  “The  men  whom  you  put  in  jail  are  standing  in  the 
Temple  courts  and  teaching  the  people.”  Then  the  command¬ 
ant  with  his  subordinates  went  and  brought  them,  but  without 
violence,  for  they  were  afraid  of  being  stoned  by  the  people. 

They  brought  them  in  and  made  them  stand  before  the  Coun¬ 
cil.  The  High  Priest  asked  them,  “Did  we  not  strictly  order 
you  not  to  teach  in  this  name?  And  here  you  have  filled  Jerusa¬ 
lem  with  your  doctrine  and  want  to  bring  this  man’s  blood  on 
us.”  Peter,  answering  for  the  apostles,  said,  “God  must  be 
obeyed  rather  than  men.  The  God  of  our  fathers  raised  up 
Jesus  whom  you  had  killed  by  hanging  him  on  a  cross.  God 
has  exalted  him  as  Leader  and  Savior  at  his  own  right  hand  to 
give  to  Israel  change  of  heart  and  forgiveness  of  sins.  We  are 
witnesses  of  these  things,  and  so  is  the  Ploly  Spirit  which  God 
has  given  to  those  who  obey  him.”  On  hearing  this  they  be¬ 
came  furious  and  wanted  to  kill  them.  But  a  certain  Pharisee 
named  Gamaliel  —  a  teacher  of  the  law  honored  by  all  the 
people  —  arose  in  the  Council  and,  after  directing  that  the 
men  should  be  taken  outside  for  a  little  while,  said,  “Men  of 
Israel,  consider  carefully  what  you  are  going  to  do  to  these  men. 
For  before  these  days  arose  Theudas,  professing  to  be  some¬ 
body.  A  number  of  men,  about  four  hundred,  joined  them¬ 
selves  to  him.  But  he  was  slain  and  all  who  followed  him  were 
scattered  and  came  to  naught.  After  him  arose  Judas  the 
Galilsean,  in  the  days  of  the  Census,  and  led  away  people 
after  him.  He  too  perished,  and  all  who  followed  him  were 
scattered.  And  now  I  advise  you  to  keep  away  from  these  men 
and  let  them  alone,  for  if  this  plan  or  work  is  of  men  it  will 
collapse,  but  if  it  is  of  God  you  will  not  be  able  to  suppress 
them.  You  might  even  be  found  to  be  fighting  against  God.” 

They  were  persuaded  by  him.  So  they  called  in  the  apostles 
and  gave  them  a  flogging  and  ordered  them  not  to  go  on  speak¬ 
ing  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  then  set  them  at  liberty;  but  they 
went  away  from  before  the  Council  rejoicing  because  they  were 
thought  worthy  to  be  put  to  shame  for  the  Name.  And  every 
day  in  the  Temple  courts  and  from  house  to  house  they  un¬ 
ceasingly  taught  and  told  the  good  news  of  Jesus  the  Christ. 


206 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


VI 

In  those  days,  when  the  number  of  disciples  was  increasing, 
the  Greek-speaking  Jews  began  to  grumble  at  the  Hebrew 
Jews  because  their  widows  were  being  overlooked  in  the  daily 
service.  Then  the  twelve  called  the  body  of  disciples  together 
and  said,  “  We  do  not  wish  to  leave  the  message  of  God  and 
wait  on  tables.  Therefore,  brethren,  pick  out  seven  men  from 
among  you,  men  of  reputation,  full  of  the  Spirit  and  of  wisdom, 
and  we  will  appoint  them  to  look  after  this  need.  But  we  will 
devote  ourselves  to  prayer  and  to  the  service  of  the  message.” 
This  proposal  pleased  the  whole  body.  So  they  chose  Stephen, 
a  man  full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  Philip  and  Pro¬ 
chorus  and  Nicanor  and  Timon  and  Parmenas  and  Nicolaus, 
a  proselyte  from  Antioch.  These  they  presented  before  the 
apostles,  who  after  prayer  laid  their  hands  upon  them. 

The  message  of  God  continued  to  spread  and  the  number  of 
the  disciples  in  Jerusalem  increased  greatly,  and  even  a  great 
body  of  the  priests  were  obedient  to  the  faith. 

Stephen,  full  of  grace  and  of  power,  was  doing  great  wonders 
and  signs  among  the  people.  But  certain  persons  from  what 
was  called  the  synagogue  of  the  Libyans  and  Cyrenians  and 
Alexandrians,  and  some  from  Cilicia  and  Asia,  rose  up  and 
disputed  with  Stephen;  yet  they  could  not  hold  their  own 
against  the  wisdom  and  the  Spirit  with  which  he  spoke.  Then 
they  got  some  men  to  say,  “  We  have  heard  him  speaking  pro¬ 
fane  words  against  Moses  and  against  God.”  They  excited  the 
people  and  the  elders  and  the  scribes,  and  coming  suddenly 
upon  Stephen  they  arrested  him  and  led  him  to  the  Council. 
There  they  put  forward  false  witnesses  who  said,  “This  man 
never  ceases  saying  things  against  this  holy  place  and  the  law. 
We  have  heard  him  say  that  this  Jesus,  the  Nazarene,  will 
destroy  this  place  and  will  change  the  customs  that  Moses 
handed  down  to  us.”  All  who  were  sitting  in  the  Council  as 
they  looked  at  him  saw  that  his  face  was  like  the  face  of  an 
angel. 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


207 


VII 

The  High  Priest  said,  “Are  these  things  true?”  Stephen 
said:  “Brethren  and  Fathers,  listen.  The  God  of  glory 
appeared  to  our  father  Abraham  while  he  was  in  Meso¬ 
potamia,  before  he  lived  in  Haran,  and  said  to  him,  ‘  Leave  your 
land  and  your  kindred  and  go  into  whatever  land  I  shall 
show  you/  Then  he  came  out  from  the  land  of  the  Chaldseans 
and  settled  in  Haran.  From  there,  after  the  death  of  his 
father,  God  removed  him  into  this  land  in  which  you  now  live, 
but  he  did  not  give  him  any  inheritance  in  it,  not  even  a  foot 
of  it.  Still  he  promised  to  give  it  as  a  possession  to  him  and  to 
his  descendants  after  him,  though  at  that  time  he  had  no 
child.  God  spoke  thus,  ‘His  descendants  will  sojourn  in  a  land 
not  their  own,  and  they  will  be  enslaved  and  maltreated  four 
hundred  years/  And  God  said,  ‘  That  nation  by  which  they  are 
enslaved  I  will  judge,  and  after  that  they  shall  come  out  and 
serve  me  in  this  place/  God  gave  Abraham  the  covenant  of 
circumcision.  So  Abraham  circumcised  his  son  Isaac  on  the 
eighth  day,  and  Isaac  circumcised  his  son  Jacob,  and  Jacob 
circumcised  his  sons,  the  twelve  patriarchs. 

“The  patriarchs  becoming  jealous  of  Joseph  sold  him  into 
Egypt.  But  God  was  with  him  and  delivered  him  out  of  all  his 
trials,  and  gave  him  favor  and  wisdom  before  Pharaoh,  king  of 
Egypt,  who  made  him  governor  over  the  land  of  Egypt  and 
all  his  own  house.  Then  there  came  a  famine  over  all  Egypt 
and  Canaan,  and  great  distress,  and  our  fathers  found  no  food. 
When  Jacob  heard  that  there  was  food  in  Egypt  he  sent  our 
fathers  the  first  time.  On  their  second  visit  Joseph  made  him¬ 
self  known  to  his  brothers,  and  Joseph’s  family  was  made  known 
to  Pharaoh.  Then  Joseph  sent  and  invited  down  Jacob  his 
father  and  all  his  relatives,  seventy-five  persons,  and  Jacob 
went  down  into  Egypt  and  died  there  —  he  and  our  fathers. 
They  were  brought  to  Shechem  and  buried  in  the  tomb  which 
Abraham  bought  for  a  price  in  silver  from  the  sons  of  Hamor 
in  Shechem. 

“As  the  time  drew  near  for  the  fulfillment  of  the  promise 
which  God  had  made  to  Abraham,  the  people  grew  and  multi- 


208 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


plied  in  Egypt  until  there  arose  to  rule  over  Egypt  a  different 
king,  who  did  not  know  Joseph.  He  adopted  a  crafty  policy 
toward  our  race  and  oppressed  our  fathers,  forcing  them  to 
expose  their  babes  so  that  they  should  not  be  kept  alive. 

“At  that  time  Moses  was  born,  and  was  beautiful  in  God’s 
sight.  For  three  months  he  was  cared  for  in  his  father’s  house. 
When  he  had  been  exposed,  Pharaoh’s  daughter  took  him  up 
and  reared  him  as  her  own  son.  Moses  was  educated  in  all  the 
wisdom  of  the  Egyptians  and  was  strong  in  words  and  in  deeds. 
When  he  reached  the  age  of  forty  years  it  came  into  his  heart 
to  look  after  his  brethren,  the  children  of  Israel.  Seeing  one  of 
them  being  wronged,  he  defended  him  and  did  justice  for  the 
injured  man  by  striking  down  the  Egyptian.  He  thought  that 
his  brethren  knew  that  God  would  give  them  freedom  through 
his  hand.  But  they  did  not  understand  it.  On  the  next  day 
Moses  appeared  when  two  of  them  were  fighting,  and  tried  to 
make  peace  between  them,  saying,  ‘Men,  you  are  brethren. 
Why  are  you  injuring  each  other?’  But  he  who  was  injuring 
his  neighbor  pushed  him  away,  saying,  ‘  Who  appointed  you  a 
ruler  and  judge  over  us?  Do  you  mean  to  kill  me  as  you  killed 
the  Egyptian  yesterday?’  At  that  word  Moses  fled  and  be¬ 
came  a  sojourner  in  the  land  of  Midian,  and  there  he  had  two 
sons. 

“When  forty  years  had  passed,  an  angel  appeared  to  him  in 
the  desert  of  Mount  Sinai  in  the  flames  of  a  burning  bush. 
When  Moses  saw  the  sight  he  was  astonished,  but  as  he  was 
approaching  to  look  closely,  the  voice  of  the  Lord  was  heard, 
‘I  am  the  God  of  your  fathers,  the  God  of  Abraham  and  of 
Isaac  and  of  Jacob.’  Then  Moses  trembled  and  did  not  dare 
to  look  closely.  The  Lord  said  to  him,  ‘Loose  your  sandals 
from  your  feet,  for  the  place  on  which  you  are  standing  is  holy 
ground.  I  have  plainly  seen  the  distress  of  my  people  in  Egypt 
and  I  have  heard  their  groans  and  have  come  down  to  deliver 
them.  Come  now  and  I  will  send  you  to  Egypt.’ 

“This  Moses  whom  they  disowned,  saying,  ‘Who  made  you 
a  ruler  and  judge?’  —  this  man  God  sent  as  ruler  and  deliverer 
by  the  hand  of  the  angel  who  appeared  to  him  in  the  bush. 
This  man  led  them  out,  doing  wonders  and  signs  in  the  land 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


209 


of  Egypt  and  at  the  Red  Sea  and  in  the  wilderness  for  forty 
years.  This  is  the  Moses  who  said,  ‘God  will  raise  up  for  you 
a  prophet  like  me  from  among  your  brethren.’  This  is  he  who 
was  in  the  assembly  in  the  wilderness,  with  the  angel  who  spoke 
to  him  in  Mount  Sinai  and  with  our  fathers,  and  he  received 
the  living  words  to  give  to  us.  Our  fathers  would  not  obey 
him,  but  thrust  him  away  and  turned  back  in  their  hearts 
toward  Egypt,  saying  to  Aaron,  ‘Make  us  gods  to  lead  us;  for 
this  Moses,  who  led  us  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt  —  we  do  not 
know  what  has  become  of  him.’  And  they  made  the  image  of 
a  calf  in  those  days  and  brought  sacrifices  to  the  idol  and 
rejoiced  in  the  work  of  their  own  hands.  So  God  turned  and 
gave  them  up  to  worship  the  stars  of  heaven,  as  it  is  written 
in  the  book  of  the  prophets,  ‘Did  you  offer  to  me  slaughtered 
animals  and  sacrifices  forty  years  in  the  wilderness,  O  house  of 
Israel?  No,  you  carried  the  tent  of  Moloch  and  the  star  of  the 
god  Rephan,  the  images  that  you  made  for  worship.  Therefore 
I  will  remove  you  beyond  Babylon.’ 

“In  the  wilderness  our  fathers  had  the  Tent  of  the  Testi¬ 
mony  made  as  he  who  spoke  to  Moses  directed,  according  to 
the  model  which  he  had  seen.  This  Tent  our  fathers  who  were 
with  Joshua  received  in  their  turn  and  brought  into  the  land  of 
the  nations  whom  God  drove  out  from  before  our  fathers,  and 
it  remained  until  the  days  of  David.  He  found  favor  with  God 
and  prayed  that  he  might  provide  a  temple  for  the  house  of 
Israel.  But  Solomon  built  for  him  a  house.  Yet  the  Most  High 
does  not  dwell  in  buildings  made  by  hands;  as  the  prophet  says, 
‘  Heaven  is  my  throne  and  the  earth  is  my  footstool.  What  sort 
of  house  will  you  build  for  me,  says  the  Lord,  or  what  is  my 
place  of  rest?  Did  not  my  hand  make  all  these  things?’ 

“You  stiff-necked  men,  uncircumcised  in  hearts  and  ears, 
you  always  resist  the  Holy  Spirit!  As  your  fathers  did,  so  do 
you.  Which  one  of  the  prophets  did  not  your  fathers  persecute? 
Yes,  they  killed  those  who  announced  in  advance  the  coming 
of  the  righteous  one  of  whom  now  you  have  become  the 
betrayers  and  murderers  —  you  who  received  the  law  as  it 
was  transmitted  by  angels  and  have  not  kept  it.” 

As  they  listened  to  these  things  they  were  cut  to  the  heart 


210 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


and  ground  their  teeth  at  him.  But  he  being  full  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  looked  up  into  heaven  and  saw  the  glory  of  God,  and 
Jesus  standing  at  God’s  right  hand,  and  he  said,  “I  see  heaven 
opened  and  the  Son  of  Man  standing  at  God’s  right  hand!” 
With  a  great  shout  they  stopped  their  ears  and  rushed  upon 
him  with  one  purpose,  and  hurried  him  out  of  the  city  and 
stoned  him.  The  witnesses  laid  down  their  cloaks  at  the  feet 
of  a  young  man  named  Saul.  They  stoned  Stephen  as  he  was 
praying  and  saying,  “Lord  Jesus, receive  my  spirit.”  Kneeling 
he  cried  aloud,  “Lord,  do  not  layup  this  sin  against  them!” 
After  saying  this  he  fell  asleep. 

VIII 

Saul  also  approved  of  their  putting  him  to  death.  On  that 
day  arose  a  great  persecution  of  the  church  in  Jerusalem. 
All  except  the  apostles  were  scattered  through  Judsea  and 
Samaria.  Pious  men  carried  Stephen  away  for  burial  and 
made  great  lamentation  over  him.  Saul  cruelly  hounded  the 
church  from  house  to  house,  entering  and  dragging  out  men 
and  women  and  handing  them  over  into  prison. 

Those  who  were  scattered  went  to  various  places  telling  the 
good  news.  Philip  went  down  to  the  city  of  Samaria  and  pro¬ 
claimed  the  Christ  to  them.  The  crowds  with  one  mind  gave 
attention  to  what  was  said  by  Philip,  listening  to  his  words  and 
seeing  the  signs  that  he  did.  For  impure  spirits  came  out 
shrieking  from  many  who  had  been  possessed,  and  many 
paralytic  and  lame  people  were  healed.  There  was  great  rejoic¬ 
ing  in  that  city. 

A  certain  man  named  Simon  had  previously  been  practicing 
magic  in  the  city  and  astonishing  the  people  of  Samaria,  giving 
out  that  he  was  some  great  one.  They  had  all  given  attention 
to  him,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest,  saying,  “This  man  is 
the  power  of  God  which  is  called  great.”  They  had  given  atten¬ 
tion  to  him  because  for  a  long  time  he  had  amazed  them  by  his 
magic.  But  when  they  believed  Philip,  who  was  telling  the 
good  news  of  the  kingdom  of  God  and  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  they  were  baptized,  both  men  and  women.  Simon  him¬ 
self  also  believed  and  was  baptized  and  attached  himself  to 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES  211 

Philip,  and  seeing  the  signs  and  great  miracles  that  took  place 
he  was  astonished. 

When  the  apostles  in  Jerusalem  heard  that  Samaria  had 
accepted  the  message  of  God,  they  sent  to  them  Peter  and 
John.  They  on  arrival  prayed  for  them,  that  they  might 
receive  the  Holy  Spirit.  For  the  Spirit  had  not  yet  fallen  on 
any  one  of  them;  they  had  merely  been  baptized  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus.  Then  they  laid  their  hands  on  them  and  they 
received  the  Holy  Spirit.  When  Simon  saw  that  the  Spirit  was 
given  through  the  laying  on  of  the  apostles’  hands,  he  offered 
them  money,  saying,  “Give  to  me  also  this  power  that  whoever 
I  lay  hands  on  may  receive  the  Holy  Spirit.”  But  Peter  said  to 
him,  “Your  money  perish  with  you  because  you  have  thought 
that  you  could  buy  the  gift  of  God  with  money!  You  have  no 
part  or  lot  in  this  matter.  For  your  heart  is  not  right  before 
God.  Repent  of  this  wickedness  of  yours,  and  pray  the  Lord 
that,  if  possible,  the  thought  of  your  heart  may  be  forgiven  you. 
Fori  see  that  you  are  in  the  gall  of  bitterness  and  the  fetters 
of  unrighteousness.”  Simon  answered,  “You  pray  for  me  to  the 
Lord  that  nothing  of  what  you  have  said  may  come  on  me.” 

So  when  they  had  borne  their  testimony  and  had  spoken  the 
message  of  the  Lord,  they  returned  to  Jerusalem,  telling  the 
good  news  in  many  villages  of  the  Samaritans. 

An  angel  of  the  Lord  said  to  Philip,  “Arise  and  go  south¬ 
ward  on  the  road  that  goes  down  from  Jerusalem  to  Gaza,  the 
road  through  the  desert.”  He  arose  and  went.  Now  there 
was  a  man  of  Ethiopia,  a  eunuch  of  high  rank  under  Candace, 
queen  of  the  Ethiopians,  who  was  over  her  treasury.  He  had 
been  to  Jerusalem  to  worship  and  was  on  his  return,  sitting  in 
his  chariot  and  reading  the  prophet  Isaiah.  The  Spirit  said  to 
Philip,  “Go  up  and  join  this  chariot.”  Philip  ran  up  and  heard 
him  reading  Isaiah  the  prophet,  and  said,  “Do  you  understand 
what  you  are  reading?”  He  said,  “How  can  I  without  some 
one  to  guide  me?”  He  begged  Philip  to  come  up  and  sit  with 
him. 

The  passage  of  Scripture  that  he  was  reading  was,  “He  was 
led  as  a  sheep  to  slaughter,  and  as  a  lamb  before  his  shearer 
is  dumb,  so  he  did  not  open  his  mouth.  In  his  humiliation 


212 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES  . 


justice  was  denied  him.  Who  will  describe  his  generation?  For 
his  life  is  taken  away  from  the  earth.”  The  eunuch  said  to 
Philip,  “  Please  tell  me,  of  whom  is  the  prophet  speaking  — •  of 
himself  or  of  some  one  else?”  Philip  opened  his  mouth  and 
beginning  with  that  Scripture  told  him  the  good  news  about 
Jesus. 

As  they  were  going  along  the  road  they  came  to  water,  and 
the  eunuch  said,  “Here  is  water.  What  isr there  to  hinder  my 
being  baptized?  ”  He  ordered  the  chariot  to  stop  and  they  both 
went  down  into  the  water,  Philip  and  the  eunuch,  and  he 
baptized  him.  When  they  had  come  up  out  of  the  water,  the 
Spirit  caught  away  Philip,  and  the  eunuch  saw  him  no  more. 
He  went  on  his  way  rejoicing.  But  Philip  found  himself  at 
Azotus,  and  passing  through  all  the  cities  he  told  the  good  news 
until  he  came  to  Caesarea. 


IX 

Saul  was  still  breathing  out  threats  and  murder  against  the 
disciples  of  the  Lord.  He  went  to  the  High  Priest  and  asked 
from  him  letters  to  the  synagogues  in  Damascus,  that  if  he 
should  find  any  persons  who  were  of  the  Way,  whether  men  or 
women,  he  might  bring  them  bound  to  Jerusalem. 

On  his  journey  he  was  getting  near  to  Damascus  when  sud¬ 
denly  a  light  from  heaven  flashed  round  him.  He  fell  to  the 
ground  and  heard  a  voice  saying  to  him,  “Saul,  Saul,  why  are 
you  persecuting  me?”  He  asked,  “Who  is  speaking?”  The 
answer  was,  “I  am  Jesus  whom  you  are  persecuting.  But  stand 
up  and  go  into  the  city  and  it  will  be  told  you  what  you  must 
do.”  The  men  who  were  on  the  road  with  him  stood  struck 
dumb,  hearing  the  voice,  but  seeing  no  one.  Saul  rose  from  the 
earth  and  opened  his  eyes,  but  he  could  see  nothing.  Taking 
him  by  the  hand  they  led  him  into  Damascus,  and  he  was 
three  days  without  seeing,  and  neither  ate  nor  drank. 

There  was  in  Damascus  a  certain  disciple  named  Ananias. 
The  Lord  said  to  him  in  a  vision,  “Ananias.”  He  answered, 
“Here  I  am,  Lord.”  The  Lord  said  to  him,  “Rise  and  go  to 
the  street  called  Straight  street,  and  ask  in  the  house  of  Judas 
for  a  man  named  Saul  from  Tarsus.  He  is  now  in  prayer,  and 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


213 


has  seen  a  man  named  Ananias  come  in  and  lay  his  hands  on 
him  in  order  that  he  may  receive  his  sight.”  Ananias  answered, 
“Lord,  I  have  heard  about  this  man  from  many  people  —  how 
many  wicked  things  he  has  done  to  thy  holy  ones  in  Jerusalem, 
and  here  he  has  authority  from  the  high  priests  to  bind  all 
who  call  upon  thy  name.”  But  the  Lord  said  to  him,  “Go,  for 
this  man  is  a  chosen  instrument  of  mine  to  carry  my  name 
before  nations  and  kings  and  the  children  of  Israel.  I  will  show 
him  how  much  he  must  suffer  for  my  name.”  Ananias  went 
and  entered  the  house  and  put  his  hands  on  Saul,  and  said, 
“Brother  Saul,  the  Lord  has  sent  me  —  Jesus  who  appeared  to 
you  on  the  road  as  you  were  coming  —  that  you  may  receive 
your  sight  and  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit.”  Immediately 
scales  seemed  to  fall  from  his  eyes  and  he  could  see,  and  he 
arose  and  was  baptized,  and  after  taking  food  he  regained  his 
strength. 

Saul  passed  some  days  with  the  disciples  who  were  in  Damas¬ 
cus,  and  at  once  he  began  to  proclaim  in  the  synagogues  that 
Jesus  was  the  Son  of  God.  All  who  heard  him  were  astonished 
and  said,  “Is  not  this  the  man  who  in  Jerusalem  persecuted 
those  who  call  on  this  name,  and  who  came  here  for  the  very 
purpose  of  binding  and  taking  them  to  the  high  priests?” 
But  Saul  grew  stronger  and  put  to  confusion  the  Jews  who 
lived  at  Damascus,  as  he  proved  that  this  man  was  the  Christ. 

When  a  number  of  days  had  passed,  the  Jews  plotted  to  put 
him  out  of  the  way,  but  this  became  known  to  Saul.  They 
watched  the  gates  day  and  night  to  seize  him.  But  the  disciples 
took  him  at  night  and  let  him  down  through  an  opening  in  the 
wall,  lowering  him  in  a  basket. 

When  Saul  reached  Jerusalem,  he  tried  to  attach  himself  to 
the  disciples,  but  all  were  afraid  of  him,  not  believing  that  he 
was  a  disciple.  But  Barnabas  took  him  and  brought  him  to  the 
apostles,  and  related  to  them  how  he  had  seen  the  Lord  on  the 
road  and  how  the  Lord  had  spoken  to  him,  and  how  courage¬ 
ously  he  had  spoken  in  Damascus  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  After 
that  Saul  was  with  them  in  Jerusalem,  going  out  and  in  and 
speaking  freely  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  He  frequently  spoke 
and  debated  with  the  Greek-speaking  Jews.  But  they  kept 


214 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


trying  to  put  him  out  of  the  way.  When  the  brethren  learned 
of  it,  they  took  him  down  to  Caesarea  and  sent  him  away  to 
Tarsus. 

So  the  church  had  peace  throughout  all  Judaea  and  Galilee 
and  Samaria,  and  was  built  up,  and  advancing  in  the  reverence 
of  the  Lord  and  by  the  encouragement  of  the  Holy  Spirit  grew 
continually  in  numbers. 

It  happened  that  Peter,  while  passing  about  among  all  the 
holy,  came  down  also  to  those  who  were  dwelling  at  Lydda. 
He  found  there  a  man  named  iEneas  who  had  been  for  eight 
years  lying  on  a  pallet,  for  he  was  a  paralytic.  Peter  said  to 
him,  “iEneas,  Jesus  Christ  is  healing  you.  Rise  up  and  make 
your  bed.”  Immediately  he  arose.  All  who  were  living  in 
Lydda  and  Sharon  saw  him,  and  they  turned  to  the  Lord. 

In  Joppa  there  was  a  disciple  named  Tabitha  (in  Greek 
Dorcas,  Gazelle).  She  abounded  in  good  works  and  acts  of 
kindness  which  she  was  accustomed  to  do.  It  happened  at 
that  time  that  she  fell  sick  and  died.  They  bathed  her  and  laid 
her  out  in  an  upper  room.  Since  Lydda  was  near  to  Joppa  and 
the  disciples  had  heard  that  Peter  was  there,  they  sent  two 
men  to  him  begging  him,  “Do  not  delay  to  come  on  down  to 
us.”  Peter  arose  and  went  along  with  them.  On  his  arrival 
they  took  him  up  to  the  room.  All  of  the  widows  came  around 
him  wailing  and  showing  the  tunics  and  cloaks  that  Dorcas 
had  made  while  she  was  with  them.  Peter  sent  them  all  out 
and  kneeling  down  he  prayed.  Then  turning  to  the  body  he 
said,  “Tabitha,  rise.”  She  opened  her  eyes,  and  seeing  Peter 
she  sat  up.  Giving  her  his  hand  he  raised  her  to  her  feet.  Then 
calling  the  holy  and  the  widows  he  presented  her  to  them 
alive.  This  became  known  through  all  Joppa  and  many  be¬ 
lieved  in  the  Lord.  Peter  stayed  in  Joppa  many  days  with  a 
man  named  Simon,  a  tanner. 


X 

There  was  in  Caesarea  a  man  named  Cornelius,  a  centurion 
in  the  battalion  called  the  Italian  cohort.  He  was  a  pious  man, 
reverencing  God  with  all  his  household,  doing  many  acts  of 
charity  to  the  people  and  praying  to  God  constantly.  About 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


215 


three  o’clock  one  afternoon  he  saw  plainly  in  a  vision  an  angel 
come  in  and  say  to  him,  “Cornelius.”  He  gazed  at  him  in 
alarm  and  asked,  “What  is  it,  my  Lord?”  The  angel  said  to 
him,  “Your  prayers  and  your  gifts  of  charity  have  come  up  as 
an  evidence  before  God.  Now  send  men  to  Joppa  and  ask  for 
a  man  named  Simon,  who  is  called  Peter.  He  is  the  guest  of  a 
certain  Simon,  a  tanner,  whose  house  is  by  the  seaside.” 

When  the  angel  who  had  been  speaking  to  him  had  gone, 
Cornelius  called  two  of  his  servants  and  a  pious  soldier  of  those 
who  were  attached  to  him,  and,  after  explaining  everything  to 
them,  sent  them  to  Joppa.  On  the  next  day,  while  they  were 
on  the  road  and  approaching  the  city,  Peter  went  up  on  the 
housetop  to  pray.  It  was  about  noon.  He  began  to  feel  hungry 
and  wished  to  eat.  While  they  were  preparing  food,  he  fell  into 
a  trance  and  saw  the  heavens  opened  and  something  descending 
like  a  great  sheet  being  let  down  to  the  ground  by  the  four 
corners.  In  it  were  all  kinds  of  fourfooted  animals  and  reptiles 
and  birds  of  the  air.  Then  a  voice  came  to  him,  “Rise,  Peter, 
kill  and  eat.”  But  Peter  said,  “By  no  means,  Lord,  for  I  have 
never  eaten  anything  unclean  or  impure.”  A  second  time  the 
voice  came  to  him,  “What  God  has  cleansed  you  must  not 
think  unclean.”  This  happened  a  third  time,  and  then  im¬ 
mediately  the  sheet  was  taken  up  into  the  heavens. 

Peter  was  thinking  this  over  and  was  at  a  loss  what  the 
vision  meant.  Just  then  the  men  who  had  been  sent  by 
Cornelius,  after  inquiring  for  the  house  of  Simon,  came  to  the 
door  and  called  to  know  whether  Simon  called  Peter  was  a 
guest  there.  While  Peter  was  debating  with  himself  about  the 
vision,  the  Spirit  said,  “Here  are  two  men  looking  for  you. 
Rise  and  go  down  and  go  with  them  without  misgivings,  for 
I  have  sent  them.”  Peter  went  down  and  said  to  the  men, 
“  Here  I  am  —  the  man  you  are  looking  for.  What  is  the  reason 
for  your  coming?”  They  said,  “Cornelius,  a  centurion,  an 
upright  and  God-fearing  man,  well  spoken  of  by  the  whole 
Jewish  nation,  was  directed  by  a  holy  angel  to  send  for  you  to 
come  to  his  house,  and  to  listen  to  your  words.”  Then  he  in¬ 
vited  them  in  and  entertained  them. 

The  next  day  Peter  arose  and  went  away  with  them,  and  some 


216 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


of  the  brethren  from  Joppa  accompanied  him.  On  the  follow¬ 
ing  day  they  came  to  Caesarea.  Cornelius  was  expecting  them 
and  had  assembled  his  relatives  and  his  close  friends.  As  Peter 
was  about  to  enter,  Cornelius  met  him  and  falling  at  his  feet  did 
him  reverence.  But  Peter  lifted  him  up,  saying,  “ Stand  up;  I 
myself  also  am  a  man.”  Conversing  with  him  Peter  entered 
the  house  and  found  many  people  assembled.  He  said  to  them, 
“You  understand  that  it  is  against  our  Law  for  a  Jew  to  be 
closely  associated  with  a  Gentile  or  to  visit  him.  But  God  has 
taught  me  not  to  call  any  person  common  or  unclean.  There¬ 
fore  when  I  was  sent  for  I  came  without  making  any  objection. 
So  now  I  ask,  For  what  reason  have  you  sent  for  me?” 

Cornelius  said,  “Four  days  ago,  at  this  hour,  I  was  offering 
the  three  o’clock  prayer  in  my  house,  when  suddenly  a  man 
stood  before  me  in  shining  dress  and  said,  *  Cornelius,  your 
prayer  has  been  heard  and  your  gifts  of  charity  have  been 
remembered  before  God.  Send  to  Joppa  and  call  for  Simon 
who  is  surnamed  Peter.  He  is  a  guest  in  the  house  of  Simon  a 
tanner  near  the  sea.’  Immediately  I  sent  to  you  and  you  have 
done  well  in  coming.  Now  here  we  all  are  in  God’s  presence  to 
hear  all  that  the  Lord  has  commanded  you.” 

Peter  opened  his  mouth  and  said,  “Truly  I  understand  that 
God  is  not  partial,  but  in  every  nation  whoever  reverences  him 
and  lives  righteously  is  acceptable  to  him.  As  to  the  message 
which  he  sent  to  the  children  of  Israel  telling  the  good  news  of 
peace  through  Jesus  Christ  —  who  is  Lord  of  all  —  you  know 
the  story  that  spread  through  all  Judaea.  It  began  in  Galilee 
after  the  baptism  which  John  proclaimed.  You  know  of  Jesus 
of  Nazareth,  how  God  anointed  him  with  the  Holy  Spirit  and 
with  power.  He  went  about  doing  good  and  healing  all  who 
were  harassed  by  the  Devil,  for  God  was  with  him.  We  are 
witnesses  of  all  that  he  did  in  the  country  of  the  Jews  and  in 
Jerusalem.  They  hung  him  on  a  cross  and  so  killed  him.  But 
God  raised  him  up  on  the  third  day  and  granted  that  he  should 
become  visible,  not  to  all  the  people,  but  to  witnesses  previ¬ 
ously  chosen  by  God,  namely,  to  us  who  ate  and  drank  with 
him  after  his  resurrection  from  the  dead.  God  commanded  us 
to  proclaim  to  the  people  and  to  testify  that  he  is  the  divinely 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


217 


appointed  Judge  of  the  living  and  the  dead.  All  of  the  prophets 
testify  to  this,  that  every  one  who  believes  in  him  obtains  for¬ 
giveness  of  sins  through  his  name.” 

While  Peter  was  speaking  these  words,  the  Holy  Spirit  fell 
on  all  who  were  listening  to  his  message.  All  the  believers  who 
were  of  the  circumcision  who  had  come  along  with  Peter  were 
amazed  that  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  poured  out  on 
the  Gentiles,  for  they  heard  them  speaking  with  tongues  and 
glorifying  God.  Then  Peter  said,  “Can  any  one  forbid  water 
for  the  baptism  of  these  people  who  have  received  the  Holy 
Spirit  just  as  we  did?”  And  he  directed  that  they  should  be 
baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  Then  they  asked  him  to 
remain  there  a  few  days. 

XX 

The  apostles  and  the  brethren  throughout  Judaea  heard  that 
the  Gentiles  also  had  received  the  message  of  God.  When 
Peter  went  up  to  Jerusalem,  those  who  were  of  the  circumcision 
criticized  him,  saying,  “You  went  into  the  houses  of  uncir¬ 
cumcised  men  and  ate  with  them.”  But  Peter  began  and 
explained  consecutively  all  that  had  happened.  He  said,  “I 
was  in  the  city  of  Joppa  and  was  praying,  and  in  a  trance  I  saw 
a  vision.  Something  like  a  great  sheet  was  descending,  lowered 
from  heaven  by  the  four  corners,  and  it  came  to  where  I  was. 
I  looked  at  it  attentively  and  saw  the  fourfooted  animals  of  the 
earth  and  the  wild  beasts  and  the  reptiles  and  the  birds  of 
the  air.  Then  I  heard  a  voice  saying  to  me,  ‘  Rise,  Peter,  kill 
and  eat.'  I  said,  ‘By  no  means,  Lord,  for  never  has  anything 
common  or  unclean  entered  my  mouth/  The  voice  spoke 
again  from  heaven,  ‘What  God  has  cleansed  you  must  not 
think  common/  This  happened  three  times  and  then  every¬ 
thing  was  drawn  up  again  into  heaven.  Immediately  three 
men  came  to  the  house  in  which  we  were.  They  had  been 
sent  from  Caesarea  to  me.  The  Spirit  directed  me  to  go  with 
them  without  any  questioning.  These  six  brethren  also  went 
with  me,  and  we  entered  the  man’s  house.  He  related  to  us 
how  he  had  seen  in  his  house  an  angel  who  stood  and  said, 
‘Send  to  Joppa  for  Simon  who  is  called  Peter.  He  will  speak  to 


218 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


you  words  by  which  you  and  your  whole  household  will  be 
saved/  When  I  began  speaking  the  Holy  Spirit  fell  on  them, 
just  as  on  us  at  the  beginning,  and  I  remembered  the  words  of 
the  Lord  how  he  said,  ‘John  baptized  with  water,  but  you  will 
be  baptized  with  the  Holy  Spirit/  If  then  God  gave  to  them  the 
same  gift  that  he  gave  to  us  on  believing  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  who 
was  I  that  I  could  oppose  God?” 

On  hearing  this  they  ceased  their  criticism  and  gave  glory 
to  God,  saying,  “Then  even  to  the  Gentiles  God  has  granted 
the  change  of  heart  that  leads  to  life.” 

Those  who  were  scattered  abroad  by  the  persecution  that 
arose  in  connection  with  Stephen  went  as  far  as  Phoenicia  and 
Cyprus  and  Antioch,  telling  the  message  to  none  but  Jews. 
Some  of  them  were  men  of  Cyprus  and  Cyrene,  and  they  on 
reaching  Antioch  spoke  also  to  the  Greeks,  telling  them  the 
good  news  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  The  hand  of  the  Lord  was 
with  them,  and  a  large  number  believed  and  turned  to  the 
Lord. 

Word  came  to  the  ears  of  the  church  in  Jerusalem  regard¬ 
ing  these  men,  and  they  sent  Barnabas  to  Antioch.  WLen  he 
arrived  and  saw  the  grace  of  God  he  was  delighted,  and  he 
encouraged  all  to  be  firmly  faithful  to  the  Lord.  For  he  was  a 
good  man  and  full  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  of  faith.  A  consider¬ 
able  number  were  added  to  the  Lord. 

Barnabas  went  away  to  Tarsus  to  look  up  Saul,  and  upon 
finding  him  he  brought  him  to  Antioch.  For  a  whole  year  they 
met  with  the  church  and  taught  a  large  company,  and  it  was  in 
Antioch  that  the  disciples  were  first  called  “Christians.” 

In  those  days  some  prophets  went  down  from  Jerusalem  to 
Antioch.  One  of  them  named  Agabus  arose  and  foretold 
through  the  Holy  Spirit  that  a  great  famine  was  going  to  occur 
over  all  the  inhabited  world.  (It  happened  in  the  time  of 
Claudius.)  Then  the  disciples  determined,  each  according  to 
his  means,  to  send  something  for  the  help  of  the  brethren  who 
were  living  in  Judaea.  This  they  did,  sending  it  to  the  elders  by 
the  hands  of  Barnabas  and  Saul. 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


219 


XII 

About  that  time  King  Herod  laid  hands  on  some  members  of 
the  church  in  order  to  maltreat  them.  He  killed  James  the 
brother  of  John  with  the  sword.  Seeing  that  it  was  pleasing  to 
the  Jews,  he  proceeded  to  arrest  Peter  also.  This  was  during 
the  Days  of  Unleavened  Bread.  He  seized  him  and  put  him 
in  prison,  committing  him  to  four  guards  of  four  soldiers  each 
for  safe  keeping,  intending  to  bring  him  out  to  the  people  after 
the  Passover.  So  Peter  was  under  guard  in  the  prison.  But 
prayer  was  continually  made  by  the  church  to  God  for  him. 

On  the  very  night  before  Herod  was  going  to  bring  him  out, 
Peter  was  sleeping  between  two  soldiers  bound  with  two  chains, 
and  guards  before  the  door  were  watching  the  prison.  Sud¬ 
denly  an  angel  of  the  Lord  was  there.  Light  shone  in  the  cell. 
Striking  Peter’s  side  he  woke  him,  saying,  “Rise  up  quickly.” 
His  chains  fell  off  his  hands.  The  angel  said  to  him,  “Put  on 
your  belt  and  your  sandals.”  Peter  did  so.  The  angel  said  to 
him,  “Throw  your  cloak  around  you  and  follow  me.”  Peter 
came  out  and  followed  along,  not  knowing  whether  what  the 
angel  was  doing  was  real.  He  thought  he  was  seeing  a  vision. 
After  passing  the  first  guard  and  the  second,  they  came  to  the 
iron  gate  that  leads  into  the  city.  This  opened  for  them  of  its 
own  accord  and  they  went  out  and  went  along  one  street.  Then 
suddenly  the  angel  left  him. 

When  Peter  came  to  himself,  he  said,  “  Now  I  know  truly  that 
the  Lord  has  sent  his  angel  and  has  delivered  me  out  of  the 
l  hands  of  Herod,  and  from  all  the  expectation  of  the  Jewish 
7  people.”  So  understanding  the  situation,  he  came  to  the  house 
of  Mary  the  mother  of  John  called  Mark,  where  a  number  were 
assembled  and  were  praying. 

When  Peter  knocked  at  the  door  of  the  entry,  a  girl  named 
Rhoda  came  to  listen,  and  when  she  recognized  Peter’s  voice, 
without  opening  the  door,  she  ran  for  joy  and  told  them  that 
Peter  was  standing  at  the  door.  They  said  to  her,  “You  are 
insane.”  But  she  was  positive  that  it  was  so.  They  said,  “It 
is  his  angel.”  Peter  continued  knocking.  When  they  opened 
the  door  and  saw  him  they  were  amazed.  He  motioned  to 


220 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


them  with  his  hand  to  be  silent,  and  explained  to  them  how 
the  Lord  had  delivered  him  out  of  the  prison,  and  he  said, 
“Tell  this  to  James  and  the  brethren.”  Then  he  left  and  went 
to  a  different  place. 

When  day  came  there  was  no  small  commotion  among  the 
soldiers  as  to  what  had  become  of  Peter.  Herod  searched  for 
him,  but  not  finding  him  he  closely  questioned  the  guards  and 
ordered  them  to  be  led  away  to  execution.  Then  he  went  down 
from  Jerusalem  to  Caesarea  and  stayed  there. 

Herod  had  a  bitter  feud  with  the  Tyrians  and  Sidonians. 
But  they  came  to  him  with  one  mind,  and  having  won  over 
Blastus,  the  King’s  chamberlain,  they  begged  for  peace,  be¬ 
cause  their  country  depended  for  it's  food  supply  on  the  King’s 
country.  On  an  appointed  day  Herod  in  his  royal  robes  sat  on  a 
platform  and  made  an  address  to  them.  The  people  shouted, 
“It  is  a  god’s  voice,  not  a  man’s.”  Immediately  an  angel  of 
the  Lord  struck  him,  because  he  did  not  give  the  glory  to 
God,  and  he  was  eaten  by  worms  and  expired.  But  God’s 
message  grew  and  spread. 

Barnabas  and  Saul  after  fulfilling  their  mission  returned 
from  Jerusalem,  bringing  along  with  them  John,  surnamed 
Mark. 


XIII 

There  were  in  Antioch  among  the  members  of  the  church 
several  prophets  and  teachers  —  Barnabas,  and  Symeon,  who 
was  called  Niger,  and  Lucius  of  Cyrene  and  Manaen  (a  com¬ 
panion  in  childhood  of  Prince  Herod)  and  Saul.  As  they  were 
serving  the  Lord  and  fasting,  the  Holy  Spirit  said,  “Set  apart 
for  me  Barnabas  and  Saul  for  the  work  to  which  I  have  called 
them.”  Then,  after  fasting  and  praying  and  laying  their  hands 
upon  them,  they  sent  them  off. 

Sent  out  in  this  way  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  Barnabas  and  Saul 
went  down  to  Seleucia  and  from  there  sailed  for  Cyprus. 
Arriving  at  Salamis  they  announced  God’s  message  in  the 
synagogues  of  the  Jews.  They  had  John  as  their  assistant. 
After  passing  through  the  whole  island  as  far  as  Paphos,  they 
came  across  a  Jewish  magician  and  false  prophet,  named  Bar- 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


221 


Jesus,  who  was  in  the  company  of  the  Proconsul,  Sergius 
Paulus,  an  intelligent  man.  The  Proconsul  invited  in  Barnabas 
and  Saul  and  desired  to  hear  God’s  message.  But  Elymas  the 
magician  (for  that  is  the  translation  of  his  name)  opposed  them, 
endeavoring  to  turn  the  Proconsul  away  from  the  faith.  But 
Saul  (who  is  also  called  Paul),  full  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  fixed  his 
eyes  on  him  and  said,  “  You  who  are  full  of  every  kind  of  fraud, 
you  son  of  the  Devil,  you  enemy  of  all  righteousness,  will  you 
never  stop  perverting  the  straight  paths  of  the  Lord?  And  now 
the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  upon  you  and  you  will  be  blind  for  a 
time,  unable  to  see  the  sun.”  Immediately  a  dimness  and 
darkness  fell  on  him,  and  he  went  about  seeking  for  people  to 
lead  him  by  the  hand.  Then  the  Proconsul,  seeing  what  had 
happened,  believed,  being  amazed  at  the  teaching  of  the  Lord. 

Sailing  away  from  Paphos,  Paul  and  his  companions  came  to 
Perga  in  Pamphylia.  John  left  them  there  and  returned  to 
Jerusalem.  But  they  went  on  from  Perga  and  came  to  Antioch 
in  Pisidia.  On  the  Sabbath  they  went  into  the  synagogue  and 
sat  down.  After  the  reading  of  the  Law  and  the  Prophets,  the 
synagogue  directors  sent  to  them  saying,  “  Brethren,  if  you  have 
any  word  of  encouragement  for  the  people,  speak  it.” 

Paul  rose  and  motioning  with  his  hand  said,  “  Israelites  and 
you  who  reverence  God,  listen.  The  God  of  this  people  Israel 
chose  our  fathers  and  made  the  people  great  during  their  so¬ 
journ  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  with  an  uplifted  arm  brought 
them  out.  For  a  period  of  about  forty  years  he  fed  them  in  the 
wilderness,  and  after  destroying  seven  nations  in  the  land  of 
Canaan  he  gave  them  their  land  as  an  inheritance  for  about 
four  hundred  and  fifty  years.  After  that  he  gave  them  judges 
down  to  the  prophet  Samuel.  Next  they  asked  for  a  king  and 
God  gave  them  Saul  the  son  of  Kish,  a  man  of  the  tribe  of 
Benjamin,  for  forty  years.  After  removing  him,  God  raised  up 
David  to  be  their  king,  to  whom  he  bore  testimony,  ‘I  have 
found  David  the  son  of  Jesse,  a  man  after  my  own  heart.  He 
will  carry  out  all  my  purposes/ 

“Of  this  man’s  descendants  God,  according  to  his  promise, 
brought  to  Israel  a  savior  —  Jesus,  before  whose  coming  John 
had  proclaimed  to  all  the  people  of  Israel  baptism  for  a  change 


222 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


of  heart.  As  John  was  finishing  his  career  he  used  to  say, 
4  What  do  you  think  that  I  am?  I  am  not  he.  But  one  is  com¬ 
ing  after  me  the  sandals  of  whose  feet  I  am  not  worthy  to 
unfasten/ 

“  Brethren,  sons  of  Abraham’s  race  and  those  among  you  who 
reverence  God,  the  message  of  this  salvation  has  been  sent  to 
you.  For  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  and  their  rulers,  neither 
understanding  him  nor  the  utterances  of  the  prophets  which 
are  read  every  Sabbath,  fulfilled  those  utterances  by  condemn¬ 
ing  him.  Although  they  found  no  ground  for  putting  him  to 
death  they  begged  Pilate  to  have  him  killed.  When  they  had 
completely  done  all  that  had  been  predicted  about  him,  they 
took  him  down  from  the  cross  and  laid  him  in  a  tomb.  But 
God  raised  him  from  the  dead  and  he  appeared  for  many  days 
to  those  who  had  gone  up  with  him  from  Galilee  to  Jerusalem. 
They  are  now  his  witnesses  to  all  the  people. 

“We  tell  you  the  good  news  that  the  promise  to  our  fathers 
has  been  kept;  for  God  has  fulfilled  it  for  our  children  in  raising 
up  Jesus,  as  it  is  written  in  the  second  psalm, 4  Thou  art  my  son; 
to-day  I  have  become  thy  father.’  And  as  to  his  raising  him 
from  the  dead,  never  to  return  to  decay,  he  spoke  thus; 4 1  will 
give  you  the  holy  and  sure  promises  made  to  David.’  There¬ 
fore  he  says  also  in  another  psalm,  ‘Thou  wilt  not  let  thy  holy 
one  see  decay.’  For  David  after  serving  the  will  of  God  in  his 
own  generation  fell  asleep  and  was  laid  with  his  fathers  and  saw 
decay.  But  he  whom  God  raised  up  saw  no  decay. 

“Therefore  let  it  be  known  to  you,  brethren,  that  through 
him  forgiveness  of  sins  is  proclaimed  to  you.  Yes,  every  one 
who  believes  in  him  is  cleared  from  all  the  sins  from  which  you 
could  not  be  cleared  by  the  Law  of  Moses.  Take  care  then  that 
what  was  said  in  the  Prophets  does  not  come  on  you,  4  See,  you 
disdainful  ones,  and  wonder  and  perish;  for  I  am  working  a 
work  in  your  days  —  a  work  which  you  will  not  believe  even  if 
some  one  fully  explains  it  to  you.’” 

As  Paul  and  Barnabas  were  going  out,  the  people  begged  that 
these  words  might  be  spoken  to  them  on  the  next  Sabbath. 
After  the  synagogue  was  dismissed,  many  of  the  Jews  and  of 
the  pious  converts  to  Judaism  followed  Paul  and  Barnabas,  who 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES  223 

talked  to  them  and  endeavored  to  persuade  them  to  hold  fast 
to  the  grace  of  God. 

On  the  next  Sabbath  almost  the  whole  city  came  together  to 
hear  the  message  of  God.  But  the  Jews,  seeing  the  crowds,  were 
filled  with  anger  and  kept  speaking  in  abusive  language  against 
what  was  said  by  Paul.  Then  Paul  and  Barnabas  said  with 
fearless  plainness,  “The  message  of  God  had  to  be  spoken  first 
to  you.  But  since  you  thrust  it  away  and  do  not  judge  your¬ 
selves  worthy  of  life  eternal  —  now,  we  turn  to  the  Gentiles. 
For  so  the  Lord  has  commanded  us,  ‘I  have  set  you  for  a  light 
of  the  Gentiles,  that  you  may  be  for  salvation  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth.*”  When  the  Gentiles  heard  this,  they  rejoiced  and 
glorified  the  message  of  the  Lord,  and  all  who  were  predestined 
to  life  eternal  believed. 

The  message  of  the  Lord  was  carried  abroad  through  the 
whole  country.  But  the  Jews  stirred  up  the  pious  women  of 
high  standing  and  the  leading  men  of  the  city,  and  started  a 
persecution  against  Paul  and  Barnabas  and  expelled  them  from 
their  boundaries.  They  shook  off  the  dust  of  their  feet  as  a  pro¬ 
test  against  them,  and  came  to  Iconium.  The  disciples  were 
filled  with  joy  and  with  the  Holy  Spirit. 

XIV 

In  Iconium  Paul  and  Barnabas  went  in  the  same  way  into  the 
synagogue  and  spoke  so  that  a  large  number  both  of  Jews  and 
of  Greeks  believed.  But  the  unbelieving  Jews  excited  and 
embittered  the  minds  of  the  Gentiles  against  the  brethren. 
Therefore  the  apostles  spent  considerable  time  speaking  freely 
and  fearlessly  in  reliance  upon  the  Lord,  who  bore  witness  to 
his  gracious  message  by  permitting  signs  and  wonders  to  be 
done  by  their  hands.  The  people  of  the  city  became  divided; 
some  were  with  the  Jews  and  some  with  the  apostles.  But 
when  there  was  a  rush  made  by  the  Gentiles  and  the  Jews, 
along  with  their  rulers,  to  hustle  them  and  stone  them,  the 
apostles  learned  of  it  and  fled  to  the  cities  of  Lycaonia,  Lystra 
and  Derbe,  and  the  surrounding  country,  and  there  they  went 
on  telling  the  good  news. 

In  Lystra  there  was  a  man  sitting  who  was  powerless  in  his 


224 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


feet.  He  had  been  lame  from  his  mother’s  womb  and  never  had 
walked.  He  was  listening  to  Paul  as  he  was  speaking.  Paul 
fixed  his  eyes  on  him,  and,  seeing  that  he  had  faith  to  be  healed, 
said  in  a  loud  voice,  “  Stand  up  straight  on  your  feet.”  He 
sprang  up  and  walked  about. 

When  the  crowds  saw  what  Paul  had  done,  they  raised  their 
voices,  saying  in  Lycaonian,  “  The  gods  have  taken  human  form 
and  come  down  to  us.”  They  called  Barnabas  Zeus  and  Paul 
Hermes,  because  he  was  the  principal  speaker.  Then  the  priest 
of  Zeus,  whose  temple  was  in  front  of  the  city,  brought  bulls 
and  garlands  to  the  gates,  followed  by  the  crowds,  and  in¬ 
tended  to  offer  sacrifice.  But  when  the  apostles  Barnabas  and 
Paul  heard  of  it,  they  rent  their  garments  and  sprang  into  the 
crowd,  crying  out,  “Men,  why  are  you  doing  this?  We  too  are 
men  with  the  same  weaknesses  that  you  have.  We  are  bringing 
you  the  good  news  that  you  are  to  turn  from  these  foolish 
things  to  the  living  God,  who  made  the  heavens  and  the  earth 
and  the  sea  and  all  things  that  are  in  them.  In  past  genera¬ 
tions  he  permitted  all  the  nations  to  go  their  own  ways,  though 
he  did  not  leave  himself  without  evidence,  for  he  did  you  good 
and  gave  rains  from  heaven  and  fruitful  seasons,  filling  your 
hearts  with  food  and  gladness.”  Even  by  saying  this  they  with 
difficulty  kept  the  crowds  from  offering  sacrifice  to  them. 

But  Jews  arrived  from  Antioch  and  Iconium  and  won  over 
the  crowds,  and  they  stoned  Paul  and  dragged  him  outside  of 
the  city,  thinking  that  he  was  dead.  But  when  the  disciples 
gathered  around  him  he  rose  up  and  reentered  the  city.  On  the 
next  day  he  left  with  Barnabas  for  Derbe.  Telling  the  good 
news  in  that  city  they  made  a  number  of  disciples.  Then  they 
returned  to  Lystra  and  Iconium  and  Antioch,  reassuring  the 
minds  of  the  disciples  and  encouraging  them  to  be  steadfast  in 
the  faith,  saying,  “Through  many  trials  we  must  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God.”  They  appointed  elders  for  them  in  every 
church,  and  after  prayer  and  fasting  committed  them  to  the 
Lord  in  whom  they  had  believed. 

They  passed  through  Pisidia  and  came  into  Pamphylia. 
After  telling  the  message  in  Perga,  they  came  down  to  Attalia. 
From  there  they  sailed  for  Antioch,  where  they  had  been  com- 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


225 


mitted  to  the  grace  of  God  for  the  work  which  they  had  now 
completed.  Upon  their  arrival  they  assembled  the  church  and 
narrated  all  that  God,  working  with  them,  had  done,  and  how 
he  had  opened  the  door  of  faith  to  the  Gentiles.  There  they 
passed  no  little  time  with  the  disciples. 

XV 

But  certain  men  came  down  from  Judaea  and  undertook  to 
teach  the  brethren,  “Unless  you  are  circumcised  according  to 
the  custom  of  Moses,  you  cannot  be  saved.”  Since  no  little 
dissension  and  controversy  arose  between  Paul  and  Barnabas 
and  these  men,  it  was  arranged  that  Paul  and  Barnabas  and 
some  others  of  them  should  go  up  to  Jerusalem  to  the  apostles 
and  elders  about  this  question.  So  they  were  sent  on  by  the 
church  and  passed  through  Phoenicia  and  Samaria,  relating  the 
conversion  of  the  Gentiles,  which  caused  great  joy  to  all  the 
brethren.  On  their  arrival  in  Jerusalem  they  were  welcomed 
by  the  church  and  the  apostles  and  the  elders,  and  they  nar¬ 
rated  all  that  God,  working  with  them,  had  done.  Then  some 
of  the  party  of  the  Pharisees,  who  had  become  believers,  rose 
and  said,  “We  must  circumcise  them  and  tell  them  to  keep  the 
Law  of  Moses.” 

The  apostles  and  elders  met  to  confer  about  this  matter. 
After  there  had  been  much  debate,  Peter  rose  and  said  to  them, 
“Brethren,  you  know  that  in  early  days  God  chose  among  you 
that  through  my  mouth  the  Gentiles  should  hear  the  message 
of  good  news  and  should  believe.  And  God,  who  knows  all 
hearts,  bore  witness  to  them  by  giving  them  the  Holy  Spirit, 
just  as  he  did  to  us.  He  made  no  difference  between  us  and 
them  in  cleansing  their  hearts  by  faith.  Now,  therefore,  why 
are  you  testing  God  by  putting  on  the  neck  of  the  disciples  a 
yoke  which  neither  our  fathers  nor  we  have  been  able  to  bear? 
On  the  contrary  we  believe  that  we  are  saved  through  the 
grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  just  as  they  are.” 

The  whole  assembly  remained  silent  and  listened  to  Barna¬ 
bas  and  Paul  relating  all  the  signs  and  wonders  that  God  had 
done  through  them  among  the  Gentiles.  When  they  ceased 
speaking,  James  said,  “Brethren,  listen  to  me.  Symeon  has 


226 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


told  how  first  God  graciously  visited  the  Gentiles  and  took  a 
people  for  his  name.  With  this  the  words  of  the  prophets  agree, 
as  it  is  written,  ‘  After  this  I  will  return  and  build  up  again  the 
tent  of  David  which  has  fallen  down;  yes,  I  will  build  up  its 
ruins  and  erect  it  again,  that  the  rest  of  mankind  may  seek 
the  Lord,  even  all  the  Gentiles  upon  whom  my  name  has  been 
bestowed,  says  the  Lord  who  does  these  things  foreknown  from 
of  old.’  Therefore  I  judge  best  not  to  trouble  those  of  the  Gen¬ 
tiles  who  have  turned  to  God,  but  to  write  to  them  to  abstain 
from  contamination  with  idols,  and  from  unchastity,  and  from 
what  has  been  strangled,  and  from  blood.  For  Moses  has  had 
for  generations  past  in  every  city  those  who  preach  him,  for 
he  is  read  in  the  synagogues  every  Sabbath.” 

Then  it  seemed  good  to  the  apostles  and  the  elders,  with  the 
whole  church,  to  select  men  from  themselves  and  to  send  them 
to  Antioch  with  Paul  and  Barnabas;  namely,  Judas  called 
Barsabbas,  and  Silas,  men  esteemed  among  the  brethren. 
They  wrote  and  sent  by  their  hands  the  following  letter: 

“The  Apostles  and  the  Brethren  who  are  elders,  to  the 
Brethren  from  the  Gentiles  in  Antioch  and  Syria  and  Cilicia: 
Greeting. 

“Inasmuch  as  we  have  heard  that  certain  persons  from  us 
have  troubled  you  with  words,  unsettling  your  minds,  —  men 
whom  we  did  not  authorize,  —  it  seemed  good,  after  unani¬ 
mous  agreement,  to  select  some  men  and  send  them  to  you 
with  our  beloved  Barnabas  and  Paul,  who  have  exposed  their 
lives  for  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  have  sent 
therefore  Judas  and  Silas,  who  will  tell  you  orally  the  same 
things.  For  it  seemed  good  to  the  Holy  Spirit  and  to  us  to  lay 
on  you  no  further  burden  than  these  necessary  things:  to 
abstain  from  things  sacrificed  to  idols,  and  from  blood,  and 
from  strangled  things,  and  from  unchastity.  If  you  keep  your¬ 
selves  from  these  you  will  do  well.  Farewell.” 

So  they  were  sent  away  and  went  down  to  Antioch,  where 
they  called  together  the  whole  body  and  delivered  over  the  let¬ 
ter.  On  reading  it  they  rejoiced  over  the  encouragement. 
Both  Judas  and  Silas,  being  themselves  prophets,  encouraged 
and  confirmed  the  brethren  by  long  addresses.  After  spend- 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


227 


ing  some  time  they  were  sent  away  with  a  message  of  peace 
from  the  brethren  to  those  who  had  sent  them.  Paul  and  Barna¬ 
bas  stayed  on  in  Antioch  teaching  and  telling,  in  association 
with  many  others,  the  good  news  of  the  Lord’s  message. 

After  some  time  Paul  said  to  Barnabas,  “Let  us  go  back  and 
visit  the  brethren  in  every  city  in  which  we  made  known  the 
Lord’s  message,  and  see  how  they  are  prospering.”  Barnabas 
wished  to  take  along  John  who  was  called  Mark.  But  Paul  did 
not  approve  of  taking  him  along,  since  he  had  left  them  in 
Pamphylia  and  had  not  gone  on  with  them  into  the  work. 
Such  a  difference  of  feeling  resulted  that  they  separated  from 
each  other.  Barnabas  took  Mark  and  sailed  away  to  Cyprus. 
Paul  selected  Silas  and  left,  after  being  commended  to  the 
grace  of  the  Lord  by  the  brethren.  They  went  through  Syria 
and  Cilicia  strengthening  the  churches. 

XVI 

They  came  to  Derbe  and  Lystra.  At  Lystra  there  was  a 
disciple  named  Timothy,  the  son  of  a  Jewish  woman,  who  was 
a  believer,  and  of  a  Greek  father.  He  had  a  good  reputation 
among  the  brethren  in  Lystra  and  Iconium.  Paul  wished  to 
have  Timothy  go  with  him.  So  he  took  him  and  circumcised 
him  because  of  the  Jews  who  were  in  those  parts.  For  they  all 
knew  that  his  father  was  a  Greek. 

Thus  they  traveled  through  the  cities  and  delivered  to  the 
disciples  for  observance  the  rules  that  had  been  decided  on  by 
the  apostles  and  elders  in  Jerusalem.  So  the  churches  grew 
firmer  in  faith  and  increased  in  numbers  from  day  to  day. 

They  went  through  Phrygia  and  the  Galatian  country,  the 
Holy  Spirit  having  prevented  their  speaking  the  message  in 
Asia.  Upon  reaching  Mysia  they  attempted  to  go  into  Bi- 
thynia,  but  the  spirit  of  Jesus  did  not  allow  them.  Passing  by 
Mysia  they  came  down  to  Troas.  There  a  vision  appeared  to 
Paul  in  the  night  —  a  Macedonian  man  was  standing  and 
begging  him  saying,  “Come  over  into  Macedonia  and  help 
us.”  After  Paul  had  seen  the  vision,  we  at  once  tried  to  go 
out  to  Macedonia,  inferring  that  God  had  called  on  us  to  tell 
the  good  news  to  the  people  there. 


228 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


Sailing  away  from  Troas  we  made  a  straight  run  to  Samo- 
thrace,  and  on  the  next  day  to  Neapolis.  From  there  we  went  to 
Philippi,  which  is  the  first  city  of  that  part  of  Macedonia  and 
is  a  Roman  colony.  We  remained  in  that  city  for  a  number  of 
days. 

On  the  Sabbath  day  we  went  outside  of  the  gate  to  a  place 
on  the  riverside  where  it  was  customary  to  go  for  prayer,  and 
we  sat  down  and  talked  with  the  women  who  had  gathered 
there.  One  woman  named  Lydia,  a  dealer  in  purple,  from  the 
city  of  Thyatira,  who  reverenced  God,  was  listening.  God 
opened  her  heart  to  receive  what  was  said  by  Paul.  When  she 
had  been  baptized  along  with  her  household,  she  begged  us, 
“If  you  have  judged  me  to  be  faithful  to  the  Lord,  come  into 
my  house  and  stay,”  and  she  insisted  on  our  doing  so. 

It  so  happened  that  as  we  were  going  to  the  place  of  prayer 
a  certain  slave  girl  who  had  a  spirit  of  divination  met  us.  She 
was  bringing  great  gain  to  her  masters  by  divining.  She  fol¬ 
lowed  Paul  and  us  and  kept  calling  out,  “These  men  are  serv¬ 
ants  of  God  Most  High,  and  they  are  teaching  you  the  way 
of  salvation.”  This  she  kept  doing  for  many  days.  Paul  was 
annoyed,  and  turning  he  said  to  the  spirit,  “I  tell  you  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ  to  come  out  of  her,”  and  it  came  out  at 
that  very  moment. 

When  her  masters  saw  that  the  hope  of  their  gain  was  gone, 
they  laid  hold  of  Paul  and  Silas  and  dragged  them  into  the 
public  square  before  the  authorities.  Bringing  them  in,  they 
said  to  the  magistrates,  “These  men,  who  are  Jews,  are  dis¬ 
turbing  our  city  and  teaching  customs  which  it  is  not  proper 
for  us,  who  are  Romans,  to  receive  or  practice.”  The  crowd 
joined  in  the  attack  upon  them,  and  the  magistrates  tore  off 
their  clothes  and  ordered  them  to  be  beaten  with  rods.  After 
laying  many  stripes  upon  them  they  cast  them  into  prison,  or¬ 
dering  the  jailer  to  keep  them  securely.  He  on  receiving  such 
an  order  thrust  them  into  the  inner  prison  and  made  their  feet 
secure  in  the  stocks. 

But  about  midnight  Paul  and  Silas  were  praying  and  singing 
hymns  to  God,  and  the  other  prisoners  were  listening.  Sud¬ 
denly  there  was  a  great  earthquake,  so  that  the  foundations 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


229 


of  the  prison  were  shaken.  Immediately  all  the  doors  were 
opened  and  every  one’s  fetters  were  loosed.  The  jailer,  waking 
from  sleep  and  seeing  the  doors  of  the  prison  open,  drew  his 
sword  and  was  about  to  kill  himself,  thinking  that  the  prison¬ 
ers  had  escaped.  But  Paul  said  with  a  loud  voice,  “  Do  no  harm 
to  yourself,  for  we  are  all  here.”  Calling  for  a  light  he  sprang 
in  and  fell  down  trembling  before  Paul  and  Silas,  and  led  them 
out  and  said,  “ Men,  what  must  I  do  to  be  saved?”  They  said, 
“  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  and  you  will  be  saved,  and  your 
household,”  and  they  told  the  message  of  God  to  him  and  to  all 
who  were  in  his  house.  He  took  them  at  that  hour  of  the  night 
and  washed  their  stripes.  Then  he  was  baptized,  he  and  all  of 
his  household,  immediately.  He  brought  them  into  his  house 
and  spread  the  table  for  them,  and  rejoiced  with  his  whole 
family  because  he  had  believed  in  God. 

When  morning  came  the  magistrates  sent  their  orderlies  to 
say,  “Set  those  men  at  liberty.”  The  jailer  told  this  order  to 
Paul,  “The  magistrates  have  sent  to  have  you  set  at  liberty. 
Now  go  out  and  proceed  on  your  journey  in  peace.”  But  Paul 
said  to  them,  “After  beating  us  publicly  and  without  a  trial, 
although  we  are  Romans,  they  cast  us  into  prison.  And  are 
they  now  sending  us  out  secretly?  No,  let  them  come  them¬ 
selves  and  lead  us  out.”  The  orderlies  reported  these  words  to 
the  magistrates.  When  they  heard  that  they  were  Romans  they 
were  alarmed,  and  came  and  begged  them,  and  after  leading 
them  out  requested  them  to  leave  the  city.  They  came  out  of 
the  prison  and  went  into  Lydia’s  house,  and  after  seeing  and 
encouraging  the  brethren  they  departed. 

XVII 

After  passing  through  Amphipolis  and  Apollonia  they  came 
to  Thessalonica.  Here  there  was  a  synagogue  of  the  Jews. 
According  to  Paul’s  custom  he  went  in  to  meet  with  them, 
and  on  three  Sabbath  days  he  reasoned  with  them  from  the 
Scriptures,  explaining  and  showing  that  it  was  necessary  that 
the  Christ  should  suffer  and  rise  from  the  dead,  and  saying, 
“Jesus  of  whom  I  am  telling  you  is  the  Christ.” 

Some  of  them  were  persuaded  and  attached  themselves  to 


230 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


Paul  and  Silas  —  a  large  number  of  the  pious  Greeks  and  not 
a  few  of  the  leading  women.  But  the  Jews  became  excited  and, 
taking  with  them  some  of  the  base  loafers  from  the  market¬ 
place,  they  made  a  mob  and  threw  the  city  into  confusion. 
They  attacked  the  house  of  Jason  and  tried  to  bring  Paul  and 
Silas  out  to  the  people.  Not  finding  them,  they  dragged  Jason 
and  certain  brethren  before  the  magistrates,  shouting,  “These 
men  who  have  upset  the  world  have  now  come  here.  Jason  has 
received  them.  They  all  do  contrary  to  the  decrees  of  Caesar, 
saying  that  there  is  a  different  king  —  Jesus.”  Both  the 
crowd  and  the  magistrates  were  disturbed  on  hearing  this.  So 
they  took  security  from  Jason  and  the  rest  and  then  dismissed 
them. 

The  brethren  immediately  sent  off  Paul  and  Silas  in  the 
night  to  Beroea.  They  on  arrival  went  into  the  synagogue  of 
the  Jews.  These  people  were  nobler  than  those  in  Thessalonica. 
They  welcomed  the  message  with  all  readiness  and  examined 
the  Scriptures  daily  to  see  whether  these  things  were  so.  Con¬ 
sequently  many  of  them  believed,  and  also  not  a  few  Greeks; 
women  of  high  standing  and  men. 

When  the  Jews  of  Thessalonica  learned  that  God’s  message 
had  been  proclaimed  by  Paul  also  in  Beroea,  they  came  there 
agitating  and  disturbing  the  crowds.  At  once  then  the  brethren 
sent  away  Paul  to  go  down  to  the  sea  coast.  Silas  and  Timothy 
remained  there.  Those  who  were  conducting  Paul  took  him 
as  far  as  Athens,  and,  after  receiving  a  letter  to  Silas  and 
Timothy  to  come  to  him  as  soon  as  possible,  they  left. 

While  Paul  was  waiting  for  them  in  Athens,  his  spirit  was 
stirred  within  him  as  he  looked  upon  the  city  full  of  idols.  He 
often  debated  in  the  synagogue  with  the  Jews  and  pious  per¬ 
sons,  and  in  the  market-place  every  day  with  whoever  hap¬ 
pened  to  be  there.  Some  of  the  Epicurean  and  Stoic  philoso¬ 
phers  encountered  him,  and  some  said,  “What  can  this  idle 
talker  mean?”  Others  said,  “He  seems  to  be  a  proclaimer  of 
foreign  gods,”  because  he  was  telling  the  good  news  of  Jesus 
and  the  resurrection.  They  took  him  and  led  him  up  on  to  the 
Areopagus,  saying,  “May  we  know  what  this  new  doctrine 
that  you  are  speaking  of  is?  For  you  are  bringing  strange  and 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


231 


surprising  things  to  our  ears.  We  wish  to  know  what  these 
things  are.”  For  all  the  Athenians  and  the  foreigners  residing 
there  spent  their  time  in  nothing  else  than  in  telling  or  hearing 
something  newer  than  the  last.  Paul  took  his  stand  in  the 
midst  of  the  Areopagus  and  said: 

“Men  of  Athens,  I  see  that  you  are  in  every  way  unusually 
reverential  to  the  gods.  For  in  passing  about  and  contemplat¬ 
ing  your  sacred  objects  I  came  upon  an  altar  on  which  was 
inscribed,  ‘To  an  unknown  God.’  What  you  are  worshiping 
in  ignorance  —  that  I  am  making  known  to  you. 

“The  God  who  made  the  world  and  all  the  things  that  are 
in  it,  he  who  is  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  does  not  dwell  in 
temples  made  by  hands,  nor  is  he  served  by  human  hands,  as  if 
he  needed  anything.  For  he  gives  to  all  life  and  breath  and  all 
things.  And  he  made  of  one  every  nation  of  men  to  dwell  on 
all  the  face  of  the  earth,  having  marked  out  the  appointed 
times  and  the  boundaries  of  their  abodes,  that  they  might  seek 
for  God,  if  they  could  feel  after  him  and  find  him,  though, 
indeed,  he  is  not  far  from  each  one  of  us.  For  in  him  we  live 
and  move  and  are;  as  some  of  your  own  poets  have  said,  ‘For 
we  also  are  his  offspring.’  Being  then  the  offspring  of  God,  we 
ought  not  to  think  that  deity  is  like  gold  or  silver  or  stone,  a 
thing  carved  by  man’s  art  and  thought.  The  times  of  ignorance 
God  overlooked,  but  now  he  commands  all  men  everywhere  to 
change,  since  he  has  set  a  day  in  which  he  will  soon  judge  the 
world  in  justice  by  the  man  whom  he  has  appointed,  and  of 
whom  he  has  given  evidence  to  all  men  by  raising  him  from  the 
dead.” 

When  they  heard  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  some 
sneered;  others  said,  “We  will  hear  you  again  about  this.”  So 
Paul  went  out  from  the  midst  of  them.  But  certain  men  at¬ 
tached  themselves  to  him  and  believed.  Among  them  was 
Dionysius  the  Areopagite,  and  there  was  a  woman  named 
Damaris  and  several  other  persons. 

XVIII 

After  this  Paul  left  Athens  and  came  to  Corinth.  There  he 
found  a  Jew  named  Aquila,  born  in  Pontus  but  recently  come 


232 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


from  Italy  with  Priscilla  his  wife,  because  Claudius  had  ordered 
all  Jews  to  leave  Rome.  Paul  visited  these  people,  and  because 
he  was  of  the  same  trade  stayed  with  them  and  they  worked 
together;  for  by  trade  they  were  tent-makers.  But  in  the 
synagogue  every  Sabbath  he  reasoned  and  endeavored  to 
persuade  both  Jews  and  Greeks. 

When  Silas  and  Timothy  came  down  from  Macedonia,  Paul 
was  absorbed  by  the  message,  bearing  witness  to  the  Jews  that 
Jesus  was  the  Christ.  When  they  resisted  and  spoke  profane 
words,  he  rent  his  garments  and  said  to  them,  “Your  blood  is 
on  your  own  heads.  I  am  clear,  and  from  now  on  I  am  going  to 
the  Gentiles.”  So  he  changed  over  from  there  and  came  into 
the  house  of  a  man  named  Titus  Justus,  who  reverenced  God. 
His  house  was  next  to  the  synagogue.  Crispus,  the  synagogue 
Director,  believed  in  the  Lord  with  all  his  household,  and  many 
of  the  Corinthians  when  they  heard  believed  and  were  baptized. 
The  Lord  spoke  in  the  night  by  a  vision  to  Paul,  “Do  not  fear, 
but  speak  and  be  not  silent,  for  I  am  with  you  and  no  one  shall 
attack  and  harm  you,  for  I  have  many  people  in  this  city.” 
So  he  stayed  a  year  and  six  months,  teaching  among  them 
the  message  of  God. 

While  Gallio  was  Proconsul  of  Achaia,  the  Jews  with  one 
mind  made  an  attack  on  Paul  and  brought  him  before  the 
court,  saying,  “This  man  is  inducing  men  to  worship  God  in 
a  way  contrary  to  law.”  As  Paul  was  about  to  open  his  mouth, 
Gallio  said  to  the  Jews,  “If  it  was  some  crime  or  wicked 
knavery,  O  you  Jews,  I  would  have  reasonable  patience  with 
you.  But  if  it  is  a  dispute  about  doctrine  and  names  and  your 
own  law,  see  to  it  yourselves.  I  will  not  be  a  judge  of  these 
things,”  and  he  drove  them  from  before  the  judge’s  seat.  Then 
they  laid  hold  of  Sosthenes,  the  synagogue  Director,  and  beat 
him  right  in  front  of  the  judge’s  seat.  But  Gallio  cared  for 
none  of  these  things. 

Paul  remained  a  number  of  days  more.  Then  after  taking 
leave  of  the  brethren  he  sailed  away  to  Syria,  and  Priscilla  and 
Aquila  went  with  him.  He  had  shaved  his  head  at  Cenchreae, 
for  he  had  a  vow.  They  came  to  Ephesus  and  Paul  left  his 
companions  there.  He  himself  went  into  the  synagogue  and 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


233 


debated  with  the  Jews.  Although  they  begged  him  to  stay 
longer,  he  did  not  consent,  but  took  his  leave,  saying,  “I  will 
return  to  you  again,  God  willing.”  From  Ephesus  he  put  to 
sea  and  came  to  Caesarea.  Then  he  went  up  [to  Jerusalem]  and 
greeted  the  church,  and  from  there  returned  to  Antioch. 
After  spending  some  time  there  he  set  out  and  went  through 
the  Galatian  country  and  Phrygia,  place  by  place,  strengthen¬ 
ing  all  the  disciples. 

A  certain  Jew  named  Apollos,  an  Alexandrian  by  birth,  a 
learned  man,  had  come  to  Ephesus.  He  was  strong  in  knowl¬ 
edge  of  the  Scriptures  and  had  been  instructed  in  the  way  of 
the  Lord,  and,  being  very  earnest  in  spirit,  was  teaching  ac¬ 
curately  about  Jesus,  although  he  knew  no  baptism  but 
John’s.  This  man  began  to  speak  fearlessly  in  the  synagogue. 
When  Priscilla  and  Aquila  heard  him,  they  took  him  and 
explained  to  him  the  way  of  God  more  accurately  still.  As  he 
wished  to  cross  over  to  Achaia,  the  brethren  encouraged  him 
and  wrote  to  the  disciples  to  welcome  him.  So  he  went  and 
greatly  helped  those  who  had  believed  through  grace.  For  he 
powerfully  and  publicly  refuted  the  Jews,  showing  from  the 
Scriptures  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ. 

XIX 

While  Apollos  was  in  Corinth,  Paul,  after  passing  through  the 
upper  country,  came  to  Ephesus  and  found  certain  disciples. 
He  said  to  them,  “Did  you  receive  the  Holy  Spirit  when  you 
believed?”  They  said  to  him,  “On  the  contrary,  we  did  not 
even  hear  that  there  was  a  Holy  Spirit.”  He  said,  “How  then 
were  you  baptized?”  They  said,  “With  John’s  baptism.” 
Paul  said,  “John  baptized  with  the  baptism  of  a  change  of 
heart,  telling  the  people  to  believe  in  one  who  was  coming  after 
him,  that  is,  in  Jesus.”  On  hearing  that,  they  were  baptized  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  when  Paul  laid  his  hands  on 
them  the  Holy  Spirit  came  on  them  and  they  spoke  with 
tongues  and  prophesied.  There  were  about  twelve  of  these 
men  in  all. 

For  three  months  Paul  went  into  the  synagogue  and  spoke 
fearlessly,  arguing  persuasively  regarding  the  kingdom  of  God. 


234 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 

When  some  were  hardened  and  would  not  believe  and  spoke 
evil  of  the  Way  before  the  congregation,  he  departed  from  them 
and  took  away  his  disciples  and  discussed  daily  in  the  lecture- 
hall  of  Tyrannus.  This  went  on  for  two  years,  so  that  all  the 
inhabitants  of  Asia,  both  Jews  and  Greeks,  heard  the  message  of 
the  Lord. 

Through  the  hands  of  Paul,  God  did  miracles  of  no  ordinary 
kind,  so  that  handkerchiefs  and  aprons  that  had  touched  his 
body  were  carried  to  the  sick,  and  the  diseases  left  them  and 
the  evil  spirits  departed.  Then  some  of  the  wandering  Jewish 
exorcists  undertook  to  invoke  over  those  who  had  evil  spirits 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  saying,  “I  adjure  you  by  Jesus 
whom  Paul  proclaims.”  There  were  seven  sons  of  a  certain 
Sceva,  a  Jewish  high  priest,  who  did  this.  But  the  evil  spirit 
answered  them,  “  Jesus  I  know  and  Paul  I  know;  but  who  are 
you?”  and  the  man  in  whom  the  evil  spirit  was  sprang  on  them 
and  overpowered  both  of  them,  and  so  belabored  them  that 
they  fled  from  that  house  naked  and  wounded.  This  became 
known  to  all  who  were  living  in  Ephesus,  both  Jews  and  Greeks, 
and  awe  fell  on  all  of  them,  and  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
came  to  be  held  in  high  honor.  Many  of  those  who  had  be¬ 
come  believers  came  confessing  and  telling  of  their  practices. 
A  number  of  those  who  had  practiced  magic  brought  their 
books  and  burned  them  before  all.  Adding  up  the  prices  of 
them  they  found  the  total  to  be  fifty  thousand  pieces  of  silver.1 
Thus  vigorously  the  Lord’s  message  grew  and  strengthened. 

When  these  things  had  been  accomplished  Paul  took  it  in 
mind  to  pass  through  Macedonia  and  Achaia  and  go  to  Jerusa¬ 
lem,  saying,  “  After  I  have  been  there  I  must  see  Rome  also.” 
He  sent  on  into  Macedonia  two  of  his  assistants,  Timothy  and 
Erastus,  but  he  himself  remained  awhile  in  Asia. 

At  that  time  there  arose  no  small  commotion  about  the  Way. 
For  a  certain  man  named  Demetrius,  a  silversmith,  a  maker  of 
silver  shrines  of  Artemis,  was  bringing  to  the  artisans  no  small 
gain.  He  gathered  these  and  the  workmen  employed  about 
such  things  and  said,  “Men,  you  know  that  from  this  business 
we  get  our  wealth,  and  you  see  and  hear  that  not  only  at  Ephe- 

1  Probably  about  ten  thousand  dollars. 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


235 


sus,  but  also  throughout  almost  all  Asia  this  Paul  has  per¬ 
suaded  and  drawn  away  a  large  number,  saying  that  hand¬ 
made  gods  are  not  gods  at  all.  Not  only  is  this  trade  of  ours 
in  danger  of  coming  into  disrepute,  but  also  the  temple  of  the 
great  goddess  Artemis  is  in  danger  of  being  held  of  no  account, 
and  she  whom  now  all  Asia  and  the  wide  world  worship  will  be 
deposed  from  her  majesty.” 

Upon  hearing  this,  they  became  full  of  anger  and  shouted, 
“Great  is  Artemis  of  the  Ephesians!”  The  city  was  filled  with 
confusion,  and  the  people  rushed  with  one  mind  into  the 
theater,  having  gotten  hold  of  Gaius  and  Aristarchus,  fellow 
travelers  of  Paul’s.  When  Paul  wished  to  go  in  and  face  the 
people  the  disciples  would  not  let  him.  Some  of  the  city  offi¬ 
cials  who  were  his  friends  sent  to  him  and  begged  him  not  to 
expose  himself  in  the  theater.  Some  were  shouting  one  thing 
and  some  another,  for  the  assembly  was  in  confusion,  and  the 
most  did  not  know  why  they  had  come  together.  Some  of  the 
crowd  fixed  on  Alexander,  since  the  Jews  were  putting  him 
forward.  And  Alexander  motioned  with  his  hand  and  wished 
to  make  a  defense  before  the  people.  But  when  they  recognized 
that  he  was  a  Jew,  there  arose  one  shout  from  all  for  about  two 
hours,  “Great  is  Artemis  of  the  Ephesians!” 

Then  the  City  Clerk  quieted  the  crowd  and  said,  “Men  of 
Ephesus,  who  is  there  of  all  men  who  does  not  know  that  the 
city  of  Ephesus  is  the  temple-keeper  of  the  great  Artemis,  and 
of  her  image  which  fell  down  from  Zeus?  Since  these  things  are 
indisputable,  you  ought  to  be  calm  and  do  nothing  rash.  For 
you  have  brought  here  these  men  who  are  not  robbers  of  tem¬ 
ples  nor  defamers  of  your  goddess.  If  Demetrius  and  the 
artisans  with  him  have  a  charge  against  any  one,  there  are 
court  days  and  there  are  proconsuls;  let  the  parties  state  their 
cases.  If  you  are  seeking  anything  further,  it  shall  be  settled  in 
a  lawful  assembly.  For  we  are  in  danger  of  being  called  in 
question  regarding  to-day’s  mob,  and  we  shall  not  be  able  to 
give  a  reason  for  this  tumult.”  By  saying  this  he  dissolved  the 
gathering. 


236 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


xx 

When  the  uproar  had  ceased,  Paul  sent  for  the  disciples,  and, 
after  encouraging  them,  he  bade  them  farewell  and  left  to  pro¬ 
ceed  to  Macedonia.  Passing  through  those  parts  and  en¬ 
couraging  them  by  many  addresses,  he  came  into  Greece. 
There  he  spent  three  months.  When  a  plot  was  formed  against 
him  by  the  Jews  as  he  was  about  to  sail  for  Syria,  he  decided  to 
return  through  Macedonia.  There  were  in  company  with  him 
Sopater  of  Bercea,  the  son  of  Pyrrhus,  and  of  the  Thessalonians 
Aristarchus  and  Secundus,  and  Gaius  of  Derbe  and  Timothy, 
and  from  Asia  Tychicus  and  Trophimus.  These  went  on  and 
were  waiting  for  us  in  Troas.  After  the  Days  of  Unleavened 
Bread  we  sailed  from  Philippi  and  came  to  them  in  Troas  in 
five  days.  There  we  spent  seven  days. 

On  the  first  day  of  the  week,  when  we  all  were  assembled  to 
break  bread,  Paul  was  discoursing  to  them,  being  about  to  leave 
in  the  morning,  and  he  extended  his  address  until  midnight. 
There  were  many  lamps  in  the  upper  room  where  we  were 
assembled.  A  certain  young  man  named  Eutychus,  sitting  in 
a  window,  was  overcome  with  deep  sleep  while  Paul  went  on 
discoursing.  At  last  overpowered  by  sleep  he  fell  from  the 
third  story  and  was  taken  up  dead.  But  Paul  went  down  and 
threw  himself  on  him  and  embraced  him  and  said,  “Do  not 
make  a  noisy  wailing;  for  his  life  is  still  in  him.”  Then  he  went 
up  and  broke  bread  and  ate  and  talked  on  till  daybreak  and  so 
departed.  They  brought  the  boy  living,  and  were  not  a  little 
comforted. 

We  went  in  advance  to  the  ship  and  sailed  for  Assos,  intend¬ 
ing  to  take  on  Paul  there,  for  so  he  had  arranged,  intending  to 
come  himself  by  land.  So  when  he  joined  us  at  Assos,  we  took 
him  aboard  and  came  to  Mitylene.  From  there  we  sailed  next 
day  and  arrived  off  Chios.  The  next  day  we  came  to  Samos, 
and  on  the  following  day  to  Miletus.  For  Paul  had  determined 
to  sail  by  Ephesus  in  order  not  to  spend  time  in  Asia.  He  was 
hurrying  to  be  in  Jerusalem,  if  possible,  on  the  Day  of  Pente¬ 
cost. 

From  Miletus  he  sent  to  Ephesus  for  the  elders  of  the  church. 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


237 


When  they  came  to  him,  he  said  to  them,  “You  know  how  I 
have  lived  among  you  the  whole  time  since  the  first  day  I  set 
foot  in  Asia,  serving  the  Lord  with  all  humility  and  with  tears 
and  with  trials  that  befell  me  through  the  plots  of  the  Jews  — 
how  I  did  not  shrink  from  telling  you  anything  that  was  prof¬ 
itable  or  from  teaching  you  publicly  and  from  house  to  house, 
urging  upon  both  Jews  and  Greeks  the  need  of  a  change  of 
heart  toward  God  and  of  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus. 

“And  now  I  am  on  my  way,  bound  in  spirit,  to  Jerusalem, 
not  knowing  what  is  to  befall  me  there,  except  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  testifies  from  city  to  city  that  chains  and  trials  are  wait¬ 
ing  for  me.  But  I  do  not  hold  my  life  as  of  any  account  if  only 
I  may  finish  my  race  and  the  service  which  I  received  from  the 
Lord  Jesus,  to  testify  to  the  good  news  of  the  grace  of  God. 
And  now  I  know  that  you  all,  among  whom  I  have  gone  about 
heralding  the  kingdom,  will  never  see  my  face  again.  There¬ 
fore  I  testify  to  you  to-day  that  I  am  clear  of  the  blood  of  all. 
For  I  did  not  shrink  from  telling  you  the  whole  purpose  of 
God. 

“Be  watchful  of  yourselves  and  of  all  the  flock  of  which  the 
Holy  Spirit  has  placed  you  as  overseers.  Shepherd  the  church 
of  God  which  he  bought  with  his  own  blood.  I  know  that  after 
my  departure  fierce  wolves  will  come  among  you,  not  sparing 
the  flock.  And  from  among  yourselves  men  will  arise  speaking 
perverse  things  to  draw  away  the  disciples  after  themselves. 
Therefore  watch,  remembering  that  for  three  years  I  never 
ceased  night  nor  day  to  exhort  each  one  of  you  with  tears. 

“And  now  I  commit  you  to  the  Lord  and  to  his  gracious 
message,  which  can  build  you  up  and  give  you  the  heritage 
among  all  those  who  have  been  made  holy.  I  have  coveted  no 
man’s  silver  or  gold  or  apparel.  You  yourselves  know  that 
these  hands  provided  for  my  needs  and  the  needs  of  my  com¬ 
panions.  In  all  things  I  showed  you  that  so  laboring  we  ought 
to  help  the  weak,  and  to  remember  the  words  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  that  he  said,  ‘It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re- 

•  y  ?y 

ceive. 

After  saying  this  he  kneeled  with  them  all  and  prayed.  All 
wept  aloud,  and  falling  on  Paul’s  neck  they  kissed  him  affee- 


238 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


tionately,  grieving  especially  because  he  had  said  that  they 
would  never  see  his  face  again;  and  they  escorted  him  to  the 
ship. 


XXI 

When  we  had  torn  ourselves  away  from  them  and  had  sailed, 
we  made  a  straight  run  to  Cos,  then  on  the  next  day  to  Rhodes 
and  from  there  to  Patara.  There  finding  a  ship  crossing  to 
Phoenicia  we  went  on  board  and  sailed.  After  sighting  Cyprus 
and  leaving  it  on  the  left,  we  sailed  on  to  Syria  and  landed  at 
Tyre;  for  there  the  ship  was  to  discharge  her  cargo. 

We  looked  up  the  disciples  and  stayed  with  them  seven  days. 
They  repeatedly  told  Paul  through  the  Holy  Spiritjiot  to  go  up 
to  Jerusalem.  But  when  we  had  finished  the  days,  we  left  and 
continued  our  journey,  and  they  all  with  their  wives  and  chil¬ 
dren  escorted  us  until  we  got  outside  of  the  city.  Then,  after 
kneeling  down  on  the  beach  and  praying,  we  tore  ourselves 
from  one  another;  we  went  aboard  the  ship  and  they  went 
back  to  their  homes. 

We  made  the  voyage  from  Tyre  and  arrived  at  Ptolemais. 
There  we  greeted  the  brethren  and  remained  one  day  with 
them.  On  the  next  day  we  left  and  came  to  Csesarea,  and 
entered  the  house  of  Philip  the  evangelist,  who  was  one  of  the 
Seven,  and  we  stayed  with  him.  Philip  had  four  unmarried 
daughters  who  had  the  gift  of  prophecy. 

During  our  stay  of  many  days  a  certain  prophet  named 
Agabus  came  down  from  Jerusalem.  He  came  to  see  us,  and 
took  Paul’s  belt  and  bound  his  own  feet  and  hands  and  said, 
“Thus  says  the  Holy  Spirit,  ‘So  will  the  Jews  in  Jerusalem 
bind  the  man  who  owns  this  belt,  and  will  deliver  him  into  the 
hands  of  the  Gentiles.’  ”  When  we  heard  this,  both  we  and  the 
residents  there  begged  him  not  to  go  up  to  Jerusalem.  Paul 
answered,  “What  are  you  accomplishing  by  weeping  and 
breaking  my  heart?  For  I  hold  myself  ready  not  only  to  be 
bound,  but  to  die  in  Jerusalem  for  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.” 
When  he  would  not  be  persuaded,  we  stopped  talking,  saying, 
“The  Lord’s  will  be  done.” 

At  the  end  of  these  days  we  packed  up  and  went  up  to 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


239 


Jerusalem.  Some  of  the  disciples  from  Caesarea  went  up  with 
us,  taking  along  Mnason,  a  Cypriote,  an  old-time  disciple, 
whose  guests  we  were  to  be. 

When  we  reached  Jerusalem,  the  brethren  welcomed  us 
cordially.  On  the  next  day,  Paul  went  in  with  us  for  an  inter¬ 
view  with  James,  and  all  the  elders  came.  After  saluting  them, 
he  related  in  detail  all  that  God  had  done  among  the  Gen¬ 
tiles  through  his  service.  After  hearing  him,  they  gave  glory 
to  God  and  said  to  Paul,  “You  see,  brother,  how  many  tens 
of  thousands  of  believers  there  are  among  the  Jews,  and  they 
are  all  zealous  for  the  Law.  These  have  heard  reports  that 
you  are  teaching  all  the  Jews  who  live  among  the  Gentiles  to 
break  away  from  Moses,  telling  them  not  to  circumcise  their 
children  and  not  to  observe  the  customs.  What  then?  It  will 
be  generally  heard  that  you  have  come.  So  do  this  that  we  tell 
you.  There  are  among  us  four  men  who  are  under  a  vow.  Take 
these  men  and  go  through  purification  with  them  and  pay 
their  expenses,  so  that  they  may  shave  their  heads.  Then  all 
will  know  that  what  they  have  heard  about  you  amounts  to 
nothing,  but  that  you  yourself  walk  in  obedience  to  the  Law. 

“But  as  to  the  Gentiles  that  have  believed,  we  have,  after 
consideration,  sent  our  decision  that  they  shall  guard  them¬ 
selves  against  what  has  been  sacrificed  to  idols,  and  against 
blood,  and  against  what  has  been  strangled,  and  against  un- 
chastity.” 

Then  Paul  on  the  next  day  took  the  men,  and,  after  purifying 
himself,  entered  the  Temple  courts,  giving  notice  of  the  com¬ 
pletion  of  the  days  of  purification  —  the  time  until  a  sacrifice 
would  have  been  offered  for  each  one  of  them. 

But  when  the  seven  days  were  nearly  completed,  the  Jews 
from  Asia  saw  him  in  the  Temple  courts,  and  stirred  up  all  the 
crowd  and  laid  their  hands  on  Paul,  shouting,  “Men  of  Israel, 
help.  This  is  the  man  who  teaches  everybody  everywhere 
against  our  people  and  the  Law  and  this  place,  and  moreover, 
he  has  brought  Greeks  into  the  Temple  courts  and  has  dese¬ 
crated  this  holy  place.”  For  they  had  previously  seen  Trophi¬ 
mus  the  Ephesian  in  the  city  with  Paul,  and  they  thought  that 
he  had  brought  him  into  the  Temple  courts. 


240 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


The  whole  city  was  excited  and  the  people  rushed  together. 
Seizing  Paul,  they  drew  him  out  of  the  Temple  courts,  and 
immediately  the  gates  were  closed.  As  they  were  trying  to  kill 
him,  word  went  up  to  the  Tribune  of  the  battalion  that  all 
Jerusalem  was  in  commotion.  He  at  once  took  soldiers  and 
centurions  and  ran  down  to  the  people.  They,  on  seeing  the 
Tribune  and  the  soldiers,  stopped  beating  Paul.  Then  the 
Tribune  coming  up  arrested  him  and  ordered  him  to  be  bound 
with  two  chains,  and  inquired  who  he  was  and  what  he  had 
done.  Some  called  out  one  thing  and  some  another  in  the  crowd. 
Not  being  able  to  find  out  anything  for  certain  on  account 
of  the  confusion,  he  ordered  Paul  to  be  taken  into  the  barracks. 

When  Paul  got  upon  the  stairs,  it  so  happened  that  he  was 
being  carried  by  the  soldiers  on  account  of  the  violence  of  the 
mob.  For  the  crowd  of  people  was  following  and  shouting, 
“Kill  him!”  As  he  was  about  to  enter  the  barracks  Paul  said 
to  the  Tribune,  “May  I  say  something  to  you?”  He  replied, 
“Can  you  speak  Greek?  Are  you  then  not  the  Egyptian  who 
some  time  ago  raised  a  sedition  and  led  off  four  thousand 
assassins  into  the  desert?”  Paul  said,  “I  am  a  Jew  from 
Tarsus,  in  Cilicia,  a  citizen  of  no  insignificant  city.  I  beg  you 
to  let  me  talk  to  the  people.”  He  gave  him  leave,  and  Paul 
standing  on  the  stairs  motioned  with  his  hand  to  the  people. 
There  was  a  great  silence,  and,  speaking  loudly  in  Hebrew, 
Paul  said: 

XXII 

“Brethren  and  Fathers,  listen  to  the  defense  I  now  make  to 
you.”  Hearing  him  speaking  to  them  in  the  Hebrew  language, 
they  kept  all  the  more  quiet.  He  continued:  “I  am  a  Jew, 
born  in  Tarsus,  in  Cilicia,  but  brought  up  in  this  city,  educated 
at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel  in  exact  knowledge  of  our  ancestral  Law, 
and  I  was  zealous  for  God  as  you  all  are  to-day.  I  persecuted 
this  Way  to  the  death,  binding  and  delivering  into  prison  both 
men  and  women,  as  the  High  Priest  and  all  the  eldership  can 
testify  for  me.  From  them  I  received  letters  to  the  brethren 
and  was  journeying  to  Damascus  in  order  to  bring  back  in 
chains  to  Jerusalem  for  punishment  those  who  had  gone  there. 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


241 


It  happened  that  as  I  was  journeying  and  nearing  Damascus, 
about  noon,  suddenly  a  great  light  flashed  from  heaven  around 
me.  I  fell  to  the  ground  and  heard  a  voice  saying  to  me,  ‘Saul, 
Saul,  why  are  you  persecuting  me?’  I  asked,  ‘Who  is  speak¬ 
ing?’  He  said  to  me,  ‘  I  am  Jesus  the  Nazarene,  whom  you  are 
persecuting.’  My  companions  saw  the  light,  but  did  not  hear 
the  voice  of  him  who  spoke  to  me.  I  said,  ‘What  shall  I  do, 
Lord?’  The  Lord  said  to  me,  ‘Rise  and  go  into  Damascus,  and 
there  you  will  be  told  about  all  that  it  has  been  appointed  for 
you  to  do.’  Since  I  could  not  see,  owing  to  the  brightness  of 
that  light,  my  companions  led  me  by  the  hand,  and  so  I  entered 
Damascus. 

“Then  a  man  named  Ananias,  a  strict  observer  of  the  Law 
and  highly  esteemed  by  all  the  Jews  who  lived  there,  came  to 
see  me  and  stood  by  me  and  said,  ‘Brother  Saul,  receive  your 
sight,’  and  I,  at  that  moment,  could  see  him.  He  said,  ‘The 
God  of  our  fathers  has  appointed  you  to  know  his  will,  and  to 
see  the  Righteous  One  and  to  hear  the  voice  from  his  mouth, 
for  you  shall  be  a  witness  for  him  to  all  men  of  what  you  have 
seen  and  heard.  And  now  why  delay?  Rise,  be  baptized  and 
wash  away  your  sins,  calling  upon  his  name.’ 

“After  I  had  returned  to  Jerusalem,  and  was  praying  in  the 
Temple  courts,  I  fell  into  a  trance  and  saw  Jesus  saying  to  me, 
‘Hasten  and  depart  quickly  from  Jerusalem,  for  they  will  not 
receive  your  testimony  concerning  me.’  But  I  said,  ‘Lord, 
they  know  that  I  used  to  imprison  and  beat  from  synagogue  to 
synagogue  those  who  believe  in  thee,  and  when  the  blood  of 
Stephen  thy  martyr  was  shed  I  myself  was  standing  by  and 
approving  it,  and  taking  care  of  the  cloaks  of  those  who  were 
putting  him  to  death.’  But  he  said  to  me,  ‘Go,  for  I  will  send 
you  far  away  to  Gentiles.’  ” 

They  listened  up  to  this  point,  but  now  they  broke  out, 
shouting,  “Away  with  such  a  fellow  from  the  earth!  He  ought 
never  to  have  lived!”  While  they  were  shouting  and  rending 
their  garments  and  throwing  dust  into  the  air,  the  Tribune 
ordered  him  to  be  led  into  the  barracks  and  directed  that  he 
should  be  examined  with  the  lash,  so  that  he  might  know  for 
what  crime  they  were  shouting  so  against  him. 


242 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


When  they  had  tied  him  up  with  the  thongs,  Paul  said  to  the 
Centurion  who  was  standing  by,  “  Is  it  lawful  for  you  to  scourge 
a  man  who  is  a  Roman,  and  without  a  trial?  ”  On  hearing  that, 
the  Centurion  went  to  the  Tribune  and  told  him,“  What  are  you 
going  to  do?  For  this  man  is  a  Roman.”  Then  the  Tribune 
came  to  him  and  said,  “Tell  me;  are  you  a  Roman?”  He  said, 
“  Yes.”  The  Tribune  said,  “  I  obtained  this  citizenship  by  pay¬ 
ing  a  great  sum  of  money.”  Paul  said,  “But  I  was  born  to  it.” 
At  once  those  who  were  about  to  examine  him  went  away  from 
him,  and  the  Tribune  was  alarmed  when  he  learned  that  he  was 
a  Roman,  because  he  had  chained  him. 

On  the  next  day,  wishing  to  know  certainly  why  he  was 
accused  by  the  Jews,  the  Tribune  loosed  Paul  and  ordered  the 
high  priests  and  all  the  Council  to  assemble,  and  brought  Paul 
down  and  stood  him  before  them. 

XXIII 

Paul  fixed  his  eyes  on  the  Council  and  said,  “Brethren,  I  have 
conducted  myself  with  all  good  conscience  toward  God  up  to 
this  day.”  The  High  Priest  Ananias  told  those  who  stood  near 
him  to  strike  him  on  the  mouth.  Then  Paul  said  to  him,  “God 
will  soon  strike  you,  you  whitewashed  wall.  Are  you  sitting  to 
judge  me  by  the  Law  and  yet  violating  the  Law  by  ordering  me 
to  be  struck?”  Those  who  stood  by  said,  “Are  you  insulting 
God’s  High  Priest?”  Paul  said,  “I  did  not  know,  brethren, 
that  he  was  High  Priest.  It  is  written,  4  Thou  shalt  not  speak 
evil  of  the  Ruler  of  thy  people.’  ”  Then  Paul,  perceiving  that 
one  party  was  of  Sadducees  and  the  other  of  Pharisees,  shouted 
out  in  the  Council,  “Brethren,  I  am  a  Pharisee,  a  son  of  Phar¬ 
isees.  I  am  being  tried  for  the  hope  of  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead.”  On  his  saying  this,  a  dissension  arose  between  the 
Pharisees  and  Sadducees,  and  the  assembly  became  divided. 
For  the  Sadducees  say  that  there  is  no  resurrection  nor  any 
angel  or  spirit,  but  the  Pharisees  confess  both.  So  a  great 
uproar  arose,  and  some  of  the  scribes  of  the  party  of  the 
Pharisees  arose  and  contended,  saying,  “We  find  nothing  wrong 
in  this  man.  What  if  a  spirit  has  spoken  to  him,  or  an  angel?” 
When  the  strife  was  becoming  violent,  the  Tribune,  fearing" 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


243 


that  Paul  might  be  torn  to  pieces  by  them,  ordered  the  soldiers 
to  go  down  and  take  him  from  the  midst  of  them  and  bring  him 
into  the  barracks. 

On  the  following  night  the  Lord  stood  beside  Paul  and  said, 
“Courage!  As  you  have  witnessed  for  me  in  Jerusalem,  so 
you  must  witness  in  Rome.”  When  it  was  day,  the  Jews  made 
a  conspiracy  and  bound  themselves  by  an  oath  not  to  eat  or 
drink  until  they  had  killed  Paul.  There  were  more  than  forty 
who  had  taken  this  oath.  They  came  to  the  high  priests  and 
elders  and  said,  “We  have  bound  ourselves  by  an  oath  to  taste 
nothing  until  we  have  killed  Paul.  Now  therefore  you  and  the 
Council  must  ask  the  Tribune  to  bring  him  down  to  you,  as  if 
you  were  going  to  inquire  more  exactly  about  him,  and  we, 
before  he  comes  near,  will  be  ready  to  put  him  out  of  the  way.” 

But  the  son  of  Paul’s  sister  heard  of  the  ambush,  and  he 
came  and  entered  the  barracks  and  told  Paul.  Paul  called  to 
him  one  of  the  centurions  and  said,  “Take  this  young  man  to 
the  Tribune,  for  he  has  something  to  tell  him.”  He  took  him 
and  led  him  to  the  Tribune  and  said,  “  Paul,  the  prisoner,  called 
me  and  asked  me  to  bring  this  young  man  to  you.  He  has  some¬ 
thing  to  say  to  you.”  The  Tribune  took  him  by  the  hand  and  led 
him  aside  and  asked,  “What  is  it  that  you  have  to  tell  me?” 
He  said,  “  The  Jews  have  agreed  to  ask  you  to  bring  Paul  down 
to-morrow  to  the  Council  to  inquire  something  more  exactly 
about  him.  But  do  not  yield  to  them,  for  more  than  forty  men 
of  them  are  lying  in  ambush,  and  they  have  taken  an  oath  not 
to  eat  or  drink  until  they  have  killed  him,  and  now  they  are 
ready,  expecting  a  promise  from  you.”  The  Tribune  dismissed 
the  young  man  after  charging  him,  “Tell  no  one  that  you  have 
revealed  this  to  me.”  Then  calling  to  him  two  of  the  centurions 
he  said,  “Prepare  two  hundred  soldiers  to  go  to  Caesarea,  and 
seventy  horsemen  and  two  hundred  spearmen,  at  nine  o’clock 
to-night.”  They  were  to  provide  animals  for  Paul  to  ride  and 
take  him  safely  to  Felix  the  Governor.  He  wrote  a  letter  in 
the  following  form:  “Claudius  Lysias  to  his  Excellency, 
Governor  Felix :  greeting.  This  man  was  seized  by  the  Jews  and 
was  about  to  be  killed  by  them  when  I  came  up  with  soldiers 
and  rescued  him,  having  learned  that  he  was  a  Roman.  Wish- 


244 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


ing  to  find  what  was  the  charge  that  they  had  against  him  I 
took  him  down  to  their  Council.  I  found  him  accused  regarding 
disputed  questions  of  their  law,  but  of  nothing  deserving  of 
death  or  of  bonds.  Information  has  come  to  me  that  there  will 
be  a  plot  against  the  man,  and  so  I  am  sending  him  at  once  to 
you,  and  I  have  commanded  his  accusers  to  state  their  case 
against  him  before  you.” 

So  the  soldiers,  according  to  their  orders,  took  Paul  and  con¬ 
ducted  him  by  night  to  Antipatris.  On  the  next  day  they  let 
the  horsemen  go  on  with  him,  but  they  themselves  returned  to 
the  barracks.  The  horsemen  came  on  to  Csesarea  and  deliv¬ 
ered  the  letter  to  the  Governor,  and  also  placed  Paul  before 
him.  He  read  the  letter  and  asked  of  what  province  he 
was,  and  learned  that  he  was  from  Cilicia.  Then  he  said,  “I 
will  hear  what  you  have  to  say  when  your  accusers  also  arrive.” 
He  gave  orders  that  Paul  should  be  guarded  in  Herod’s  castle. 

XXIV 

After  five  days  the  High  Priest  Ananias  came  down  with  cer¬ 
tain  elders  and  an  advocate  named  Tertullus,  and  they  spoke 
against  Paul  to  the  Governor.  When  Paul  had  been  called  in, 
Tertullus  began  to  accuse  him,  saying,  “ Because  we  enjoy 
great  peace  through  your  administration  and  reforms  are 
taking  place  for  this  nation  through  your  prudence,  we  accept 
it  always  and  everywhere,  most  excellent  Felix,  with  all  grati¬ 
tude.  But  not  to  burden  you  further,  I  beg  you  in  your  fairness 
to  hear  us  briefly.  We  have  found  this  man  a  pest  and  an  in¬ 
citer  of  sedition  among  all  the  Jews  throughout  the  world,  and 
a  leader  of  the  sect  of  the  Nazarenes.  He  even  tried  to  dese¬ 
crate  the  Temple  courts,  but  we  overpowered  him.  You 
yourself  can  examine  him  and  learn  from  him  as  to  all  these 
things  of  which  we  are  accusing  him.”  The  Jews  joined  in  the 
attack  upon  him,  affirming  that  these  things  were  so. 

Paul  answered,  when  the  Governor  nodded  to  him  to  speak, 
“  Because  I  know  that  for  many  years  you  have  been  a  judge  to 
this  nation,  I  feel  courage  in  defending  myself.  You  can  as¬ 
certain  that  it  is  not  more  than  twelve  days  since  I  went  up  to 
Jerusalem  to  worship.  Neither  did  they  find  me  discussing 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


245 


with  any  one  in  the  Temple  courts  nor  making  any  tumultuous 
gatherings  in  the  synagogues  nor  anywhere  in  the  city,  nor  can 
they  bring  you  proofs  of  their  accusations  against  me. 

“This  I  do  confess  to  you,  that  in  the  Way  which  they  call 
a  heresy  I  worship  the  God  of  our  fathers,  believing  all  things 
that  are  according  to  the  Law  and  what  is  written  in  the  Proph¬ 
ets  and  having  the  hope  in  God  which  they  themselves  also 
accept  —  that  there  will  be  a  resurrection  both  of  the  just  and 
of  the  unjust.  And  in  this  I  take  pains,  to  have  always  a  clear 
conscience  toward  God  and  toward  men. 

“After  many  years  I  came  to  my  nation  to  make  gifts  of 
charity  and  offerings.  They  found  me  in  the  Temple  thus 
occupied  and  purified,  with  no  crowd  or  noise  —  but  there 
were  some  Jews  from  Asia,  who  ought  to  have  been  here  before 
you  to  present  their  accusations  if  they  had  anything  against 
me,  or  let  these  themselves  say  what  wrong  they  found  in  me 
when  I  stood  before  the  Council;  unless  it  was  in  the  single 
assertion  that  I  shouted  as  I  stood  among  them,  ‘It  is  re¬ 
garding  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  that  I  am  on  trial  to-day 
before  you!’” 

Felix  adjourned  the  case,  since  he  was  well  informed  regard¬ 
ing  the  Way,  saying,  “When  Lysias  the  Tribune  comes  down, 
I  will  inquire  into  your  matters.”  He  gave  orders  to  the  Cen¬ 
turion  to  guard  him,  but  to  let  him  have  indulgence,  and  not  to 
hinder  any  of  his  friends  from  attending  to  his  wants. 

After  some  days  Felix  came  with  Drusilla  his  wife,  who  was 
a  Jewess,  and  sent  for  Paul  and  heard  him  regarding  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus.  While  Paul  was  reasoning  about  righteousness 
and  self-discipline  and  the  judgment  that  is  to  come,  Felix  be¬ 
came  alarmed  and  said, “  Go  for  the  present.  When  I  find  a  con¬ 
venient  time  I  will  send  for  you.”  At  the  same  time  he  was  in 
hopes  that  money  would  be  given  him  by  Paul  and  therefore 
he  used  to  send  for  him  more  frequently  and  converse  with  him. 
But  at  the  end  of  two  years  Felix  received  Porcius  Festus  as  a 
successor,  and,  wishing  to  do  the  Jews  a  favor,  he  left  Paul 
in  chains. 


246 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


XXV 

Festus  entered  the  province  and  after  three  days  went  up  to 
Jerusalem  from  Caesarea.  There  the  high  priests  and  the  lead¬ 
ers  of  the  Jews  spoke  to  him  against  Paul  and  begged  as  a  fa¬ 
vor  that  he  would  send  for  him  to  Jerusalem,  intending  to  have 
an  ambush  and  kill  him  on  the  road.  But  Festus  answered  that 
Paul  was  being  kept  in  Caesarea  and  that  he  himself  was  going 
back  very  soon.  “Let  those  of  you  who  can,”  he  said,  “go 
down  with  me,  and,  if  there  is  anything  wrong  about  the  man, 
let  them  bring  their  charges  against  him.” 

After  spending  not  more  than  eight  or  ten  days  among  them, 
he  went  down  to  Caesarea  and  on  the  next  day  took  his  seat  on 
the  judge’s  bench  and  ordered  Paul  to  be  brought  in.  When  he 
had  come  in,  the  Jews  who  had  come  down  from  Jerusalem 
stood  around  him  and  brought  many  serious  charges,  which 
they  were  unable  to  prove,  while  Paul  claimed  in  his  own 
defense,  “Neither  against  the  Jewish  Law  nor  against  the 
Temple  courts  nor  against  Caesar,  have  I  committed  any 
wrong.” 

Festus,  wishing  to  gain  favor  with  the  Jews,  asked  Paul, 
“Are  you  willing  to  go  up  to  Jerusalem  and  there  be  tried  for 
this  before  me?”  Paul  said,  “I  am  standing  before  Caesar’s 
bar,  where  I  ought  to  be  tried.  I  have  not  harmed  any  Jews  in 
anything,  as  you  very  well  know.  If  I  am  in  the  wrong  and 
have  committed  anything  worthy  of  death,  I  do  not  ask  not  to 
die.  But  if  there  is  nothing  in  the  accusations  of  these  men,  no 
one  has  the  power  to  give  me  up  to  them.  I  appeal  to  Caesar.” 
Then  Festus,  after  talking  with  his  council,  answered,  “You 
have  appealed  to  Caesar;  to  Caesar  you  shall  go.” 

When  some  days  had  passed,  Agrippa  the  King  and  Bernice 
came  to  Caesarea  to  pay  their  respects  to  Festus.  As  they  were 
spending  a  good  many  days  there,  Festus  laid  Paul’s  case  before 
the  King.  “There  is  a  man  here,”  he  said,  “who  was  left  a 
prisoner  by  Felix,  against  whom  when  I  was  in  Jerusalem  the 
high  priests  and  the  elders  of  the  Jews  had  much  to  say,  asking 
to  have  him  condemned.  I  answered  them  that  it  is  not  the 
custom  of  the  Homans  to  give  up  any  person  for  punishment 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES  247 

before  the  accused  has  his  accusers  face  to  face  and  has  oppor¬ 
tunity  for  defense  against  the  charge. 

“  So  they  came  along  down  here  and,  without  making  any  de¬ 
lay,  on  the  very  next  day  I  took  my  seat  on  the  judge’s  bench 
and  ordered  the  man  to  be  brought  in.  When  his  accusers  arose, 
they  brought  no  charge  of  such  crimes  as  I  was  expecting,  but 
they  had  some  disputes  with  him  about  their  own  religion 
and  concerning  a  certain  Jesus  who  had  died  and  whom  Paul 
affirmed  to  be  alive.  Being  at  a  loss  about  a  question  of  this 
kind,  I  asked  if  he  would  be  willing  to  go  to  Jerusalem  and  be 
tried  there  on  the  charges.  But  when  Paul  appealed  to  be  kept 
for  the  examination  of  the  Emperor,  I  ordered  him  to  be  kept 
until  I  could  send  him  to  Caesar.”  Agrippa  said  to  Festus,  “I 
should  like  to  hear  the  man  myself.”  “To-morrow,”  he  re¬ 
plied,  “you  shall  hear  him.” 

So  on  the  next  day  Agrippa  came  and  Bernice  with  much 
display,  and  they  entered  the  auditorium  with  the  military 
tribunes  and  the  principal  men  of  the  city,  and  at  Festus* 
command  Paul  was  led  in.  Festus  said,  “King  Agrippa  and 
all  present  here  with  us,  you  see  this  man  against  whom  all  the 
multitude  of  the  Jews  pleaded  with  me,  both  in  Jerusalem  and 
here,  crying  out  that  he  ought  not  to  live  any  longer.  But  I 
understood  that  he  had  done  nothing  worthy  of  death,  and 
when  he  himself  had  appealed  to  the  Emperor,  I  decided  to 
send  him.  Concerning  him  I  have  nothing  certain  to  write  to 
my  Lord.  Therefore  I  have  brought  him  before  you  all,  and 
especially  before  you,  King  Agrippa,  that  after  an  examination 
I  may  have  something  to  write.  F or  it  seems  to  me  unreasonable 
in  sending  a  prisoner  not  to  specify  the  charges  against  him.” 

XXVI 

Agrippa  said  to  Paul,  “You  are  at  liberty  to  speak  for  your¬ 
self.”  Then  Paul  stretched  out  his  hand  and  made  his  defense: 
“In  regard  to  all  of  the  things  of  which  I  am  accused  by  Jews, 
King  Agrippa,  I  consider  myself  fortunate  that  I  am  to  make 
my  defense  to-day  before  you,  since  you  are  especially  expert 
in  all  Jewish  customs  and  questions.  Therefore  I  pray  you  to 
hear  me  patiently. 


248 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


“My  life  from  boyhood,  which  was  from  the  beginning  among 
my  own  nation  and  in  Jerusalem,  all  Jews  know.  They  knew  me 
from  long  ago,  if  they  were  willing  to  testify,  and  that  according 
to  the  strictest  sect  of  our  religion  I  lived  a  Pharisee.  And  now  I 
stand  to  be  tried  for  the  hope  of  the  promise  which  God  made 
to  our  fathers,  to  which  our  twelve  tribes  devotedly  serving 
God  night  and  day  hope  to  attain.  For  this  hope  I  am  accused 
by  the  Jews,  O  King. 

“Why  do  all  of  you  consider  it  incredible  if  God  raises  dead 
men?  I  thought  with  myself  that  I  ought  to  do  much  against 
the  name  of  Jesus  the  Nazarene.  And  I  did  it  in  Jerusalem 
and  many  holy  men  I  shut  up  in  prison,  getting  authority  from 
the  high  priests,  and  when  they  were  put  to  death  I  gave  my 
vote  against  them.  In  all  the  synagogues  and  often  I  punished 
them  and  compelled  them  to  say  profane  words.  Being  ex¬ 
cessively  mad  against  them,  I  pursued  them  even  to  foreign 
cities. 

“Thus  engaged,  as  I  was  journeying  to  Damascus  with  au¬ 
thority  and  commission  from  the  high  priests,  about  midday, 
on  the  road,  I  saw,  O  King,  a  light  above  the  brightness  of  the 
sun  shining  from  heaven  around  me  and  my  companions.  We 
all  fell  to  the  ground  and  I  heard  a  voice  saying  to  me  in 
Hebrew,  ‘Saul,  Saul,  why  are  you  persecuting  me?  It  is  hard 
for  you  to  kick  against  the  goad.’  I  said,  ‘Who  is  speaking? ’ 
He  said,  ‘  I  am  Jesus  whom  you  are  persecuting.  But  rise  and 
stand  on  your  feet:  for  I  have  appeared  to  you  for  the  very 
purpose  of  appointing  you  a  servant  and  a  witness  of  the  times 
you  have  seen  me  and  of  the  times  I  shall  appear  to  you.  I  will 
deliver  you  from  your  people  and  from  the  Gentiles,  to  whom 
I  am  sending  you,  to  open  their  eyes  and  turn  them  from  dark¬ 
ness  to  light  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God,  that  they  may 
receive  forgiveness  of  sins  and  inheritance  among  those  who 
are  made  holy  by  faith  in  meJ  After  that,  King  Agrippa,  I  was 
not  disobedient  to  the  heavenly  vision,  but  first  to  the  people 
in  Damascus  and  then  to  the  people  of  Jerusalem  and  through 
all  the  land  of  Judaea  and  to  the  Gentiles,  I  proclaimed  that 
they  should  repent  and  turn  to  God  and  do  deeds  suitable  for  a 
change  of  heart. 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


249 


“For  this  reason  Jews  seized  me  in  the  Temple  courts  and 
tried  to  kill  me.  But  obtaining  help  from  God  I  have  con¬ 
tinued  until  this  day  witnessing  to  small  and  great,  saying 
nothing  but  what  the  prophets  and  Moses  said  would  be,  that 
the  Christ  would  suffer  and  that  he  first,  by  rising  from  the 
dead,  would  proclaim  light  to  our  people  and  to  the  Gentiles.” 

While  Paul  was  thus  defending  himself,  Festus  said  loudly, 
“You  are  raving,  Paul.  Much  learning  is  driving  you  insane.” 
‘‘I  am  not  insane,”  he  said,  “most  noble  Festus,  but  am  utter¬ 
ing  words  of  truth  and  soberness.  The  King  knows  about  this, 
and  to  him  I  speak  with  perfect  frankness,  for  I  am  persuaded 
that  not  one  of  these  things  has  escaped  his  attention,  for  this 
has  not  been  done  in  a  corner.  King  Agrippa,  do  you  believe 
the  prophets?  I  know  that  you  believe  them.”  Agrippa  said 
to  Paul,  “With  little  effort  you  are  persuading  me  to  become 
a  Christian.”  Paul  said,  “I  would  to  God  that  whether  with 
little  or  with  much,  not  only  you,  but  all  who  hear  me  this  day, 
would  become  such  as  I  am  —  except  for  these  chains.” 

Then  the  King  rose  and  the  Governor  and  Bernice  and  those 
who  had  been  sitting  with  them,  and  after  withdrawing  they 
said  to  one  another,  “This  man  is  doing  nothing  deserving  of 
death  or  chains.”  Agrippa  said  to  Festus,  “This  man  could 
have  been  set  at  liberty  if  he  had  not  appealed  to  Caesar.” 

XXVII 

When  it  was  decided  that  we  should  sail  for  Italy,  they  com¬ 
mitted  Paul  and  certain  other  prisoners  to  a  centurion  named 
Julius,  of  an  imperial  battalion.  Going  on  board  a  ship  of 
Adramyttium  which  was  about  to  sail  to  the  places  along  the 
coast  of  Asia  we  put  to  sea.  Aristarchus,  a  Macedonian  of 
Thessalonica,  was  with  us.  On  the  next  day  we  reached  Sidon, 
where  Julius  treated  Paul  kindly  and  allowed  him  to  go  to  see 
his  friends  and  enjoy  their  attentions.  Putting  to  sea  from 
there,  we  sailed  under  the  lee  of  Cyprus  because  the  winds  were 
contrary.  After  crossing  the  sea  off  Cilicia  and  Pamphylia,  we 
came  to  Myra  in  Lycia.  There  the  centurion  found  an  Alex¬ 
andrian  ship  bound  for  Italy  and  put  us  on  board  of  her.  By 
•*  slow  sailing  for  many  days  we  with  difficulty  arrived  off  Cnidus. 


250 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


Then  the  wind  being  against  us,  we  sailed  under  the  lee  of 
Crete  off  Salmone  and  with  difficulty  got  past  it  and  came  to 
a  place  called  Fair  Havens,  near  which  was  the  city  of  Lasea. 

When  much  time  had  passed  and  sailing  was  now  dangerous 
because  it  was  already  after  the  Fast,  Paul  addressed  them. 
“Men,”  he  said,  “I  see  that  the  voyage  is  going  to  be  rough 
and  with  much  loss  not  only  of  the  cargo  and  the  ship  but  also 
of  our  lives.”  But  the  Centurion  listened  more  to  the  sailing 
master  and  the  ship  owner  than  to  what  Paul  said,  and  as  the 
harbor  was  not  convenient  to  winter  in,  the  majority  adopted  the 
purpose  of  sailing  away  on  the  chance  of  being  able  to  reach 
Phoenix  and  winter  there.  Phoenix  is  a  harbor  of  Crete  facing 
the  southwest  and  the  northwest.  When  the  south  wind  blew 
softly,  thinking  that  they  had  secured  their  purpose,  they 
weighed  anchor  and  coasted  along  Crete. 

But  before  long  a  hurricane,  such  as  is  called  Euraquilo, 
swept  down  off  the  land.  When  the  ship  was  caught  and  un¬ 
able  to  keep  her  head  to  the  wind,  we  gave  up  and  let  her  drive 
before  it.  Running  under  the  lee  of  an  island  called  Cauda,  we 
contrived  with  difficulty  to  secure  the  small  boat.  When  we 
had  got  it  in,  we  used  ropes  to  undergird  the  ship.  Fearing  that 
we  might  get  stranded  on  the  Syrtis,  they  lowered  the  sail  and 
so  drifted.  So  violently  were  we  battered  by  the  storm  that  on 
the  next  day  they  lightened  the  ship  and  on  the  third  day  with 
their  own  hands  they  threw  over  the  ship’s  tackle.  When  for 
many  days  neither  sun  nor  stars  appeared  and  no  small  tempest 
lay  on  us,  at  last  all  hope  of  our  being  saved  was  being  taken 
away.  After  they  had  long  gone  without  food,  Paul  stood  up 
in  the  midst  of  them  and  said,  “  Men,  you  ought  to  have  listened 
to  me  and  not  to  have  sailed  away  from  Crete  and  met  this  rough 
experience  and  loss.  But  now  I  beg  you  to  have  courage,  for 
there  will  be  no  loss  of  life  of  any  of  you,  but  only  of  the  ship. 
For  this  night  an  angel  of  the  God  whose  I  am  and  whom  I 
serve  stood  by  me  and  said,  ‘  Never  fear,  Paul !  You  must  stand 
before  Caesar.  And  now  God  has  granted  to  you  all  the  men 
who  are  sailing  with  you.’  So  cheer  up,  men.  For  I  trust  in 
God  that  it  will  be  as  it  has  been  told  me.  We  must,  however, 
run  on  to  a  certain  island.” 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


251 


When  the  fourteenth  night  came,  as  we  were  being  driven 
through  the  Adriatic,  about  midnight  the  sailors  surmised  that 
land  was  getting  near.  Sounding  they  found  twenty  fathoms, 
and  after  a  little  they  sounded  again  and  found  fifteen  fathoms. 
Then  fearing  that  they  might  run  into  rocky  places,  they  cast 
out  four  anchors  from  the  stern  and  prayed  for  day  to  come. 
The  sailors  were  intent  on  escaping  from  the  ship  and  lowered 
the  small  boat  into  the  sea  under  the  pretense  of  laying  out 
anchors  from  the  bow,  but  Paul  said  to  the  Centurion  and  the 
soldiers,  “  Unless  these  men  stay  in  the  ship,  you  cannot  be 
saved.”  Then  the  soldiers  cut  the  ropes  of  the  small  boat  and 
let  her  fall  off.  Until  day  began  to  dawn,  Paul  kept  urging  all  to 
take  food.  He  said,  “  To-day  is  the  fourteenth  day  that  you 
have  been  on  the  watch  fasting,  not  taking  anything.  There¬ 
fore,  I  beg  you,  take  some  food.  For  this  is  for  your  safety. 
Not  a  hair  of  the  head  of  any  one  of  you  is  going  to  perish.” 
Saying  this  he  took  a  loaf  and  gave  thanks  to  God  before  all  and 
broke  it  and  began  to  eat.  Then  all  cheered  up  and  themselves 
took  food.  We  in  the  ship  were  in  all  two  hundred  and  seventy- 
six  souls.  After  eating  heartily,  they  lightened  the  ship,  throw¬ 
ing  over  the  wheat  into  the  sea. 

When  day  came  they  did  not  recognize  the  land,  but  they 
observed  a  bay  with  a  beach.  Into  this  they  planned  to  run  the 
ship  if  they  could.  So  abandoning  the  anchors  they  left  them 
in  the  sea;  at  the  same  time  loosening  the  bands  of  the  steering 
oars  and  raising  the  foresail  to  the  wind,  they  made  for  the 
beach.  But  falling  into  a  place  where  there  were  cross-currents 
they  ran  the  ship  aground.  The  bow  stuck  fast  and  remained 
immovable,  but  the  stern  was  breaking  up  under  the  violence 
of  the  sea. 

The  soldiers’  advice  was  to  kill  the  prisoners  for  fear  that 
some  one  of  them  might  swim  out  and  escape.  But  the  Cen¬ 
turion,  wishing  to  save  Paul,  kept  them  back  from  their  plan. 
He  ordered  those  who  could  swim  to  jump  overboard  first  and 
get  to  shore,  and  the  rest  to  follow,  some  on  boards  and  some  on 
things  from  the  ship.  And  so  all  got  safe  to  land. 


252 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


XXVIII 

When  we  were  safe  ashore,  we  found  that  the  island  was  called 
Melita.  The  foreign  people  showed  us  uncommon  kindness. 
For  they  kindled  a  fire  and  welcomed  us  all  because  of  the  rain 
that  was  falling  and  the  cold.  Paul  had  collected  a  bundle  of 
sticks  and  laid  it  on  the  fire,  when  a  snake  came  out  of  the 
heat  and  fastened  on  his  hand.  When  the  foreigners  saw  the 
creature  hanging  from  his  hand,  they  said  to  one  another,  “  Cer¬ 
tainly  this  man  is  a  murderer,  whom,  although  he  has  escaped 
the  sea,  Justice  does  not  permit  to  live.”  He  however  shook  off 
the  creature  into  the  fire  and  felt  no  harm.  They  kept  watch-, 
ing  to  see  him  swell  up  or  suddenly  fall  down  dead.  But  after 
watching  a  long  time  and  seeing  nothing  amiss  happen  to  him, 
they  changed  their  minds  and  said  that  he  was  a  god. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  that  place  were  lands  belonging  to 
the  Governor  of  the  island,  whose  name  was  Publius.  He 
welcomed  us  and  for  three  days  hospitably  entertained  us.  It 
happened  that  the  father  of  Publius  was  lying  ill  with  fever 
and  dysentery.  Paul  went  in  to  see  him  and  prayed  and  laid 
his  hands  on  him  and  healed  him.  After  this  happened,  the  rest 
in  the  island  who  had  infirmities  came  also  and  were  healed. 
They  bestowed  many  honors  on  us  and  when  we  sailed  they 
put  on  board  supplies  for  our  needs. 

After  three  months  we  sailed  in  a  ship  that  had  wintered  in 
the  island.  She  was  from  Alexandria  and  her  figure-head  was 
the  Twin  Brothers.  Landing  at  Syracuse  we  remained  there 
three  days.  From  there  we  came  around  and  got  to  Rhegium. 
After  one  day  there,  a  south  wind  sprang  up  and  we  came  on 
the  second  day  to  Puteoli.  Here  we  found  brethren  and  were 
begged  by  them  to  stay  seven  days.  And  so  we  came  to  Rome. 

From  there  the  brethren,  when  they  got  news  of  us,  came 
to  meet  us  as  far  as  the  Market  of  Appius  and  the  Three 
Taverns.  On  seeing  them  Paul  thanked  God  and  took  courage. 
When  we  reached  Rome,  Paul  was  allowed  to  live  by  himself 
with  a  soldier  who  guarded  him. 

After  three  days  he  invited  the  leading  men  among  the  Jews, 
and  when  they  had  assembled,  he  said  to  them,  “Brethren, 


THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 


253 


although  I  had  done  nothing  against  our  people  or  our  ancestral 
customs,  I  was  delivered  up  as  a  prisoner  from  Jerusalem  into 
the  hands  of  the  Romans.  They,  after  investigating  my  case, 
wished  to  set  me  free  because  I  had  done  nothing  deserving  of 
death.  But  when  the  Jews  spoke  against  it,  I  was  compelled 
to  appeal  to  Caesar,  not  that  I  have  any  charge  to  bring  against 
my  own  nation.  For  this  reason  I  have  invited  you  to  see  me 
and  talk  with  me;  because  it  is  for  the  sake  of  the  hope  of 
Israel  that  I  have  this  chain  around  me.” 

They  said  to  him,  aWe  on  our  part  have  received  no  letters 
about  you  from  Judaea  nor  has  any  one  of  the  brethren  come 
and  reported  or  spoken  anything  evil  of  you.  We  think  it  well 
to  hear  from  you  what  your  views  are;  for  as  to  this  sect  we 
know  that  it  is  everywhere  spoken  against.” 

They  appointed  a  day  for  him  and  many  came  to  him  at  his 
lodging.  He  explained  to  them,  testifying  to  the  kingdom  of 
God,  trying  to  persuade  them  concerning  Jesus  from  the  Law  of 
Moses  and  from  the  Prophets,  from  early  morning  until  evening. 
Some  were  persuaded  by  what  he  said  and  some  did  not  believe. 
They  dispersed,  disagreeing  with  one  another,  after  Paul  had 
said  one  word,  “Well  said  the  Holy  Spirit  through  Isaiah,  the 
prophet,  to  your  fathers,  ‘Go  to  this  people  and  say,  You  will 
hear  plainly  but  you  will  not  understand,  and  you  will  see 
plainly  but  you  will  not  perceive.  For  the  heart  of  this  people 
has  grown  fat  and  with  their  ears  they  are  hard  of  hearing  and 
their  eyes  they  have  shut,  so  that  they  may  never  see  with 
their  eyes  nor  hear  with  their  ears  nor  understand  with  their 
heart  and  repent,  so  that  I  may  heal  them.’  Therefore  be  it 
known  to  you  that  this  salvation  of  God  has  been  sent  to  the 
Gentiles.  They  will  listen.” 

Paul  remained  two  whole  years  in  his  own  rented  lodging 
and  received  all  who  came  to  him,  proclaiming  the  kingdom 
of  God  and  teaching  about  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  all  free¬ 
dom  of  speech,  unhindered. 


PAUL'S  LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


I 

Paul,  a  servant  of  Christ  Jesus,  called  to  be  an  apostle,  set 
apart  to  bear  the  good  news  of  God,  which  he  foretold  through 
his  prophets  in  Holy  Scripture,  concerning  his  Son  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord  (who  became  one  of  the  descendants  of  David  ac¬ 
cording  to  the  flesh,  and  was  with  power  proved  to  be  the  Son 
of  God  according  to  the  Spirit  of  holiness  by  his  resurrection 
from  the  dead) ;  through  whom  we  obtained  grace  and  apostle- 
ship  to  promote  obedience  of  faith  for  the  sake  of  his  name, 
among  all  the  Gentiles,  among  whom  are  you,  called  by  Jesus 
Christ;  to  all  who  are  in  Rome,  beloved  by  God,  called  to  be 
holy: 

Grace  to  you  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

First  of  all  I  thank  my  God  through  Jesus  Christ  for  all  of 
you,  because  your  faith  is  spoken  of  through  all  the  world. 
For  God,  whom  I  serve  in  my  spirit  in  the  good  news  of  his  Son, 
is  my  witness  how  unceasingly  I  make  mention  of  you,  always 
in  my  prayers  asking  if  I  may  somehow  at  some  time  by  the 
will  of  God  find  the  way  open  to  come  to  you.  For  I  long  to  see 
you  that  I  may  impart  to  you  some  spiritual  gift  of  grace  in 
order  that  you  may  be  strengthened,  that  is,  that  I  may  be 
encouraged  with  you  and  by  you  through  our  mutual  faith, 
yours  and  mine.  I  am  not  willing  that  you  should  be  ignorant, 
brethren,  that  often  I  have  purposed  to  come  to  you  (though 
until  now  I  have  been  hindered),  in  order  that  I  might  have 
some  fruit  among  you  as  among  the  other  Gentiles.  I  am  a 
debtor  to  Greeks  and  to  Barbarians,  to  wise  men  and  to  un¬ 
thinking  men;  so,  for  my  part,  I  am  eager  to  tell  the  good  news 
also  to  you  in  Rome. 

For  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  good  news.  It  is  the  power  of 
God  for  salvation  to  every  one  who  believes,  to  the  Jew  first 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


255 


and  also  to  the  Greek.  For  a  righteousness  of  God  is  revealed 
in  it  from  faith  to  faith,  as  it  is  written,  “  He  who  is  righteous  by 
faith  shall  live.” 

For  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  heaven  against  all  im¬ 
piety  and  wickedness  of  men  who  hold  the  truth  but  practice 
unrighteousness.  Because  what  may  be  known  of  God  is  man¬ 
ifest  within  them,  for  God  has  manifested  it  to  them.  For 
God’s  invisible  qualities  —  his  everlasting  power  and  deity  — 
are,  since  the  creation  of  the  world,  clearly  seen,  being  known 
from  what  he  has  made.  So  they  are  without  any  excuse.  For 
although  they  knew  God  they  did  not  glorify  him  as  God  and 
did  not  give  him  thanks,  but  fell  into  futile  speculations  and 
their  stupid  hearts  were  darkened.  Boasting  of  being  wise, 
they  became  fools  and  changed  the  glory  of  the  incorruptible 
God  into  images  of  mortal  man,  and  of  birds  and  beasts  and 
reptiles. 

Therefore  God  gave  them  over,  in  the  lusts  of  their  hearts,  to 
uncleanness,  to  dishonor  their  bodies  mutually.  They  changed 
the  truth  of  God  into  a  lie,  and  reverenced  and  paid  worship  to 
the  creature  rather  than  to  the  Creator  —  who  is  blessed 
forever,  Amen!  Therefore  God  gave  them  over  to  disgraceful 
passions.  For  their  females  changed  the  natural  use  for  one 
contrary  to  nature,  and  their  males,  leaving  the  natural  use  of 
the  female,  burned  in  their  lust  for  one  another,  males  with 
males  practicing  indecency  and  receiving  in  themselves  the 
deserved  penalty  of  their  error. 

And  as  they  did  not  think  fit  to  keep  God  in  their  knowledge, 
God  gave  them  over  to  an  abandoned  mind,  to  do  the  things 
that  are  shameful,  filled  with  all  injustice,  wickedness,  greed, 
malice,  full  of  envy,  murder,  strife,  fraud,  malignant  craftiness, 
whisperers,  slanderers,  hateful  to  God,  insolent,  arrogant,  boast¬ 
ers,  inventors  of  evil  things,  disobedient  to  parents,  without 
common  sense,  without  faithfulness,  without  family  affection, 
without  pity.  They  know  the  just  judgment  of  God  that  those 
who  practice  such  things  are  worthy  of  death,  yet  they  not  only 
do  them  themselves,  but  are  pleased  with  those  who  practice 
them. 


256 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


II 

Therefore  you  are  without  excuse,  0  man,  whoever  you  are, 
when  you  judge.  For  in  judging  another  you  condemn  your¬ 
self.  For  you,  the  judge,  practice  the  same  things.  But  we  know 
that  the  judgment  of  God  is  according  to  truth  upon  those  who 
practice  such  things.  Do  you  think,  O  man,  you  who  judge 
those  who  practice  such  things  while  you  do  the  same,  that  you 
will  escape  the  judgment  of  God?  Or  do  you  despise  the 
wealth  of  his  kindness  and  forbearance  and  long-suffering,  not 
knowing  that  the  kindness  of  God  is  calling  you  to  a  change  of 
heart?  Are  you  with  a  hard  and  unrepentant  heart  treasuring 
for  yourself  wrath  for  the  day  of  wrath  and  for  the  revelation 
of  the  just  judgment  of  God?  He  will  give  to  each  an  award 
according  to  his  works.  To  those  who  by  constancy  in  good 
work  seek  for  glory  and  honor  and  immortality  he  will  award 
life  eternal.  But  to  those  of  a  partisan  spirit  who  do  not  obey 
the  truth,  but  obey  wickedness,  there  will  be  wrath  and  hot 
anger.  Distress  and  crushing  calamity  will  fall  upon  every 
human  soul  that  works  evil,  upon  the  Jew  first  and  also  upon 
the  Greek.  But  glory  and  honor  and  peace  will  come  to  every 
one  who  works  good,  to  the  Jew  first  and  also  to  the  Greek, 
For  God  has  no  partiality. 

As  many  as  have  sinned  without  a  law  will  perish  without  a 
law,  and  as  many  as  have  sinned  under  law  will  be  judged  by 
law  (for  it  is  not  the  hearers  of  law  who  are  righteous  before 
God,  but  the  doers  of  law  are  pronounced  righteous;  for 
when  Gentiles  who  have  no  law  do  by  nature  what  the  Law 
enjoins,  these,  although  they  have  no  law,  are  a  law  to  them¬ 
selves;  they  show  the  requirements  of  the  Law  written  in  their 
hearts,  since  their  conscience  corroborates  it  and  their  thoughts 
argue  in  mutual  accusation  or  in  self-defense),  on  the  day  when 
God  judges  the  secrets  of  men  through  Jesus  Christ,  as  my 
good  news  sets  forth. 

But  if  you  bear  the  name  of  Jew  and  rely  upon  the  Law,  and 
make  your  boast  in  God  and  know  his  will  and  are  a  judge  of 
things  that  differ,  because  you  have  been  taught  out  of  the  Law 
and  are  confident  that  you  yourself  are  a  guide  of  the  blind, 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


257 


a  light  of  those  who  are  in  darkness,  an  instructor  of  the  un¬ 
wise,  a  teacher  of  the  simple,  because  you  have  the  form  of 
knowledge  and  of  truth  in  the  Law  —  you  who  are  teaching 
another,  do  you  not  teach  yourself?  You  who  preach  not  to 
steal,  do  you  steal?  You  who  say  not  to  commit  adultery,  do 
you  commit  adultery?  You  who  abhor  idols,  do  you  rob  tem¬ 
ples?  You  who  boast  of  the  Law,  do  you  dishonor  God  by 
breaking  the  Law?  For  “The  name  of  God  is  reviled  among 
the  Gentiles  because  of  you/’  as  it  is  written. 

Circumcision  has  value  if  you  obey  the  Law.  But  if  you  are  a 
breaker  of  the  Law,  your  circumcision  has  become  uncircum¬ 
cision.  If  an  uncircumcised  man  keeps  the  requirements  of  the 
Law,  shall  not  his  uncircumcision  be  credited  for  circumcision? 
And  the  natural  uncircumcision  if  it  keeps  the  Law  will  judge 
you  who  with  a  written  code  and  circumcision  are  still  a  law¬ 
breaker.  For  it  is  not  he  who  is  one  outwardly  that  is  a  Jew, 
nor  is  that  circumcision  which  is  outward  in  the  flesh.  But  he 
who  is  one  secretly  is  a  Jew,  and  circumcision  is  of  the  heart 
and  in  the  spirit,  not  in  the  letter.  His  praise  1  is  not  from  men, 
but  from  God. 


Ill 

What  then  is  the  advantage  of  the  Jew,  or  what  is  the  benefit  of 
circumcision?  Much  in  every  way.  First,  they  were  intrusted 
with  the  oracles  of  God.  For  what  if  some  were  faithless,  will 
their  faithlessness  prevent  the  faithfulness  of  God?  Never. 
Let  God  be  true,  but  every  man  a  liar,  as  it  is  written,  “That 
thou  mayest  be  proved  right  in  thy  words  and  triumph  when 
thou  art  judged.”  But  if  our  unrighteousness  shows  the  right¬ 
eousness  of  God,  what  shall  we  say?  Is  God  unrighteous  when 
he  inflicts  his  wrath?  (I  am  speaking  humanly.)  Never. 
If  so  how  can  God  judge  the  world?  But  if  the  truth  of  God 
has  become  more  abundant  to  his  glory  through  my  lie,  why 
am  I  still  condemned  as  a  sinner?  We  are  not  going  to  say,  as 
some  people  slanderously  affirm  that  we  say,  “Let  us  do  evil 
that  good  may  come,”  are  we?  The  condemnation  of  such 
people  is  just. 

1  The  name  Jew  in  Hebrew  means  “Praised.” 


258 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


What  then?  Have  we  an  advantage?  Not  at  all.  We  have 
already  brought  the  charge  against  both  Jews  and  Greeks  that 
they  are  all  under  sin,  as  it  is  written,  “There  is  not  even  one 
righteous ;  there  is  none  that  seeks  God.  All  have  turned  away; 
together  they  have  become  worthless;  there  is  none  who  does 
what  is  useful,  not  even  one.  Their  throat  is  an  open  sepulcher; 
with  their  tongues  they  deceive;  the  poison  of  asps  is  under  their 
lips.  Their  mouth  is  full  of  cursing  and  bitterness;  their  feet 
are  swift  to  shed  blood;  ruin  and  misery  are  in  their  paths. 
The  path  of  peace  they  do  not  know.  There  is  no  reverence 
for  God  before  their  eyes.” 

We  know  that  all  that  the  Law  says,  it  says  to  those  who  are 
under  the  Law,  that  every  mouth  may  be  shut  and  all  the  world 
may  come  under  the  condemnation  of  God.  Therefore  by 
works  of  the  Law  no  human  being  will  be  pronounced  righteous 
before  him.  For  through  the  Law  comes  the  knowledge  of  sin. 

But  now,  apart  from  law,  a  righteousness  of  God  has  been 
revealed,  confirmed  by  the  Law  and  the  Prophets  — -  a  righteous¬ 
ness  from  God  through  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  for  all  believers. 
For  there  is  no  difference.  All  have  sinned  and  have  come  short 
of  the  glory  of  God.  All  are  pronounced  righteous  by  his  grace 
through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  whom  God  has 
set  forth  as  a  propitiation  by  his  blood  through  faith,  for  the 
manifestation  of  his  righteousness,  because  of  the  passing  over 
of  previous  sins  in  the  forbearance  of  God  — fora  manifestation 
at  the  present  time  of  his  righteousness,  that  he  may  himself 
be  righteous  and  may  accept  as  righteous  him  who  has  faith 
in  Jesus. 

Where  then  is  boasting?  It  is  excluded.  By  what  law? 
That  of  works?  No,  but  by  the  law  of  faith.  For  wereason  that 
a  man  is  pronounced  righteous  by  faith  aside  from  works  of 
law.  Does  God  belong  to  the  Jews  only?  Does  he  not  belong 
also  to  the  Gentiles?  Yes,  to  the  Gentiles,  if  God  is  one  and 
will  pronounce  the  circumcision  righteous  by  faith  and  the 
uncircumcision  righteous  through  faith.  Do  we  then  by  faith 
nullify  the  Law?  Never.  On  the  contrary  we  establish  the  Law. 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


259 


IV 

What  then  shall  we  say  that  Abraham,  our  forefather  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  flesh,  experienced?  For  if  Abraham  was  pronounced 
righteous  because  of  works,  he  had  something  to  boast  of.  But 
he  had  nothing  before  God;  for  what  says  the  Scripture? 
“Abraham  believed  God,  and  it  was  credited  to  him  for  right¬ 
eousness.’ J  To  him  who  works,  wages  are  credited  not  as  by 
grace,  but  as  due ;  but  to  him  who  does  not  work,  but  believes 
in  him  who  calls  the  unrighteous  man  righteous,  his  faith  is 
credited  for  righteousness.  Just  so  David  speaks  of  the  blessed¬ 
ness  of  the  man  to  whom  God  credits  righteousness  apart  from 
works,  “Blessed  are  they  whose  lawless  acts  have  been  for¬ 
given,  and  whose  sins  have  been  covered  over.  Blessed  is  the 
man  whose  sin  the  Lord  will  not  charge  up  to  him.”  Does  this 
blessedness  come  to  the  circumcision,  or  also  to  the  uncircum¬ 
cision?  For  we  say,  “Faith  was  credited  to  Abraham  for 
righteousness.”  How  was  it  credited,  when  he  was  in  circum¬ 
cision  or  in  uncircumcision?  Not  in  circumcision,  but  in  un¬ 
circumcision.  And  he  received  the  sign  of  circumcision  as  a 
seal  of  the  righteousness  of  faith  that  he  had  in  uncircumcision, 
so  that  he  should  be  the  father  of  all  who  believe  while  un¬ 
circumcised,  and  righteousness  should  be  credited  to  them; 
and  the  father  of  the  circumcised,  that  is,  of  those  who  are  not 
only  circumcised,  but  who  walk  in  the  steps  of  the  faith  which 
our  father  Abraham  had  while  uncircumcised. 

It  was  not  through  the  Law  that  the  promise  came  to  Abra¬ 
ham  or  to  his  descendants  that  he  should  be  the  heir  of  the 
world,  but  through  the  righteousness  of  faith.  For  if  those  who 
are  of  the  Law  are  heirs,  faith  is  emptied  of  value  and  the 
promise  is  nullified.  For  the  Law  works  wrath.  But  where  there 
is  no  law,  neither  is  there  lawbreaking.  Therefore  all  depends 
on  faith,  that  it  may  be  of  grace,  and  thus  the  promise  be  sure 
for  all  his  descendants,  not  only  those  who  are  of  the  Law,  but 
also  those  who  are  of  the  faith  of  Abraham,  who  is  the  father 
of  all  of  us  (as  it  is  written,  “  I  have  made  thee  a  father  of  many 
nations  ”),  in  the  view  of  the  God  whom  he  believed,  who  makes 
f  alive  the  dead  and  calls  things  that  are  not  as  if  they  were. 


260 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


Abraham,  when  hope  was  past,  believed  in  hope  so  that 
he  became  the  father  of  many  nations,  according  to  what  was 
said  to  him,  “So  shall  your  descendants  be”;  and  without  being 
weakened  in  faith  he  recognized  his  own  body  as  dead,  when 
he  was  about  a  hundred  years  old,  and  the  deadness  of  Sarah’s 
womb.  Still  he  did  not  hesitate  through  want  of  faith  in  the 
promise  of  God,  but  was  strong  in  faith,  thus  giving  glory  to 
God,  and  was  fully  confident  that  what  God  had  promised  he 
was  able  to  perform.  Therefore  it  was  credited  to  him  for 
righteousness. 

It  was  not  written  for  his  sake  only,  that  it  was  credited  to 
him,  but  also  for  our  sake,  to  whom  it  will  be  credited  if  we 
believe  in  him  who  raised  up  from  the  dead  Jesus  our  Lord, 
who  was  delivered  up  on  account  of  our  sins  and  was  raised 
again  that  we  might  be  accounted  righteous. 

V 

So  then,  since  we  have  been  accounted  righteous  by  faith, 
let  us  have  peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Through  him  we  obtained  entrance  into  this  grace  in  which  we 
stand  and  exult  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God.  Not  only  so,  but 
we  also  exult  in  trials,  knowing  that  trial  develops  endurance, 
and  endurance  develops  a  tested  character,  and  a  tested  char¬ 
acter  develops  hope,  and  hope  does  not  disappoint,  for  the 
love  of  God  has  been  poured  out  in  our  hearts  through  the 
Holy  Spirit  granted  to  us. 

For  while  we  were  still  without  strength  Christ,  at  the  due 
time,  died  for  the  unrighteous.  Hardly  for  a  righteous  man 
will  any  one  die.  For  a  good  man  some  one  perhaps  may  dare 
to  die.  But  God  shows  his  own  love  to  us  in  that  while  we  were 
still  sinners  Christ  died  for  us.  Much  more  then,  now  that  we 
have  been  pronounced  righteous  through  his  blood,  shall  we 
be  saved  from  wrath  by  him.  For  if  while  enemies  we  were 
reconciled  to  God  through  the  death  of  his  Son,  much  more, 
now  that  we  are  reconciled,  shall  we  be  saved  by  his  life.  And 
not  only  so,  but  we  exult  in  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
through  whom  we  have  now  obtained  the  reconciliation. 

Therefore  as  through  one  man  sin  entered  the  world,  and 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


261 


through  sin  death  entered,  and  so  death  spread  to  all  men,  since  • 
all  sinned  —  for  down  to  the  time  of  the  Law  sin  was  in  the 
world,  and  yet  sin  is  not  charged  where  there  is  no  law;  but 
death  reigned  from  Adam  to  Moses  even  over  those  who  had 
not  sinned  like  Adam,  who  is  the  type  of  him  who  was  coming. 
But  the  gracious  gift  is  not  like  the  fall.  For  if  by  the  fall  of  the 
one  the  many  sinned,  much  more  did  the  grace  of  God  and  the 
free  gift  by  the  grace  of  the  one  man  Jesus  Christ  abound  to  the 
many.  And  the  free  gift  was  not  like  the  sentence  that  came 
through  one  who  sinned;  for  the  sentence  came  from  one  fall 
for  condemnation,  but  the  free  gift  was  that  men  should  be 
called  righteous  in  spite  of  many  falls.  For  if  by  thefall  of  one 
man  death  reigned  through  that  one,  much  more  those  who 
receive  the  abounding  grace  and  the  free  gift  of  righteousness 
will  reign  in  life  through  one,  that  is,  through  Jesus  Christ. 
As  then  through  one  fall  sentence  came  upon  all  men  and  they 
were  condemned;  so  through  one  righteous  act  the  free  gift 
came  to  all  men  so  that  they  are  pronounced  righteous  and  live. 
For  as  by  the  disobedience  of  the  one  man  the  many  were  set 
down  as  sinners,  so  by  the  obedience  of  the  one  the  many  will 
be  set  down  as  righteous.  But  law  came  in  alongside  that  the 
fall  might  be  greater;  but  where  sin  became  greater  grace 
became  greater  still,  in  order  that  as  sin  reigned  in  death 
grace  might  reign  through  righteousness  and  issue  in  life  eternal 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

VI 

What  shall  we  say  then?  Shall  we  remain  in  sin  so  that  grace 
may  be  great?  Never.  How  shall  we  who  died  to  sin  still  live 
in  it?  Are  you  ignorant  that  all  of  us  who  have  been  baptized 
into  Christ  Jesus  were  baptized  into  his  death?  We  were 
buried  with  him  by  baptism  into  death,  in  order  that  as  Christ 
was  raised  from  the  dead  through  the  glory  of  the  Father,  so  we 
too  might  walk  in  newness  of  life.  For  if  we  have  grown  into 
union  with  him  by  the  likeness  of  his  death,  surely  we  shall  be 
united  with  him  by  the  likeness  of  his  resurrection.  For  we 
know  this,  that  our  old-time  humanity  was  crucified  with  him, 
in  order  that  the  sinful  body  might  be  made  powerless,  that  we 


262 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


might  no  longer  be  slaves  of  sin.  For  one  who  has  died  has  been 
pronounced  righteous  and  free  from  sin.  But  if  we  died  with 
Christ  we  believe  that  we  shall  live  with  him,  knowing  that 
Christ,  after  being  raised  from  the  dead,  dies  no  more;  death 
no  more  reigns  over  him.  For  the  death  that  he  died,  he  died 
to  sin  once  for  all;  but  the  life  that  he  lives,  he  lives  to  God. 
So  you  must  think  yourselves  dead  to  sin,  but  living  to  God 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

Do  not  let  sin  reign  in  your  mortal  body  so  that  you  will 
obey  its  lusts,  and  do  not  yield  your  members  to  sin  as  the 
instruments  of  wickedness;  but  present  yourselves  to  God  as 
men  once  dead,  but  now  living,  and  yield  your  members  to 
God  as  the  instruments  of  righteousness.  For  sin  shall  not  be 
king  over  you;  for  you  are  not  under  law,  but  under  grace. 

What  then?  May  we  sin  because  we  are  not  under  law,  but 
under  grace?  Never.  Do  you  not  know  that  to  whom  you 
present  yourselves  as  servants  intending  obedience,  you  are 
the  servants  of  the  one  you  obey,  whether  of  sin,  resulting  in 
death,  or  of  obedience,  resulting  in  righteousness?  Thanks  be 
to  God  that  though  you  were  slaves  of  sin  you  became  obedi¬ 
ent  from  the  heart  to  the  type  of  teaching  in  which  you  were 
instructed.  You  were  made  free  from  sin  and  made  servants 
to  righteousness.  I  am  speaking  humanly  on  account  of  the 
weakness  of  your  human  nature.  As  you  did  present  your  mem¬ 
bers  as  servants  to  impurity  and  to  lawlessness  to  do  lawlessness, 
so  now  you  have  presented  your  members  as  servants  to  right¬ 
eousness  for  holy  living.  When  you  were  servants  of  sin  you 
were  free  from  righteousness.  What  fruit  did  you  have  then? 
Fruit  of  which  you  are  now  ashamed;  for  the  end  of  those 
things  is  death.  But  now  freed  from  sin  and  having  become 
servants  of  God  you  have  your  fruit  in  holy  living  and  its 
outcome,  life  eternal.  For  the  wages  of  sin  is  death,  but  the 
gracious  gift  of  God  is  life  eternal  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

VII 

Are  you  ignorant,  brethren,  for  I  am  speaking  to  those  who 
know  law,  that  the  Law  rules  over  a  person  while  he  is  living? 
For  a  married  woman  is  by  law  bound  to  her  husband  while 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


263 


he  is  living.  But  if  the  husband  dies,  she  is  freed  from  the  law 
of  her  husband.  Therefore  while  her  husband  is  living  she  is 
called  an  adulteress  if  she  becomes  another  man’s.  But  if  her 
husband  dies  she  is  free  from  the  law,  so  that  she  is  not  an 
adulteress  when  she  becomes  another  man’s.  So,  my  brethren, 
you  were  made  dead  to  the  Law  through  the  body  of  Christ, 
that  you  might  become  wedded  to  another,  to  him  who  was 
raised  from  the  dead,  that  we  might  bear  fruit  to  God. 

For  when  we  were  in  the  flesh  the  sinful  passions  that  arise 
through  the  Law  were  active  in  our  members,  so  that  we  bore 
fruit  to  death.  But  now  the  Law  has  been  made  inoperative  on 
us,  since  we  have  died  to  that  by  which  we  were  held,  so  that 
we  serve  in  newness  of  the  spirit  and  not  in  oldness  of  the 
letter. 

What  shall  we  say  then?  Is  the  Law  sin?  Never.  But  I  should 
not  have  come  to  know  sin  except  through  the  Law.  I  should 
not  have  known  lust  if  the  Law  had  not  said,  “Thou  shalt 
not  lust.”  Sin,  taking  occasion  through  the  commandment, 
worked  in  me  every  lust.  For  apart  from  the  Law  sin  is  dead. 
I  was  living  once,  apart  from  law.  But  when  the  commandment 
came,  sin  began  to  live  and  I  died,  and  the  commandment 
which  meant  life  was  found  to  mean  death.  For  sin,  taking 
occasion  through  the  commandment,  deceived  me  and  by  it 
killed  me. 

So  the  Law  is  holy  and  the  commandment  is  holy  and  just 
and  good.  Did  then  what  is  good  become  death  to  me?  Never. 
But  sin,  that  it  might  appear  sin,  worked  death  in  me  through 
the  good,  in  order  that  it  might  become  beyond  measure  sinful. 
For  we  know  that  the  Law  is  spiritual;  but  I  am  fleshly,  sold 
under  sin.  For  what  I  am  doing  I  do  not  understand.  For  not 
what  I  choose  is  what  I  practice,  but  what  I  hate,  this  I  do.  But 
if  I  do  what  I  do  not  choose,  I  agree  with  the  law  that  it  is 
right.  And  now  it  is  no  longer  I  that  do  it,  but  the  Sin  that 
dwells  in  me.  I  find  then  this  rule,  when  I  choose  to  do  the 
right,  that  evil  is  present  with  me.  I  delight  in  the  Law  in  my 
inner  man,  but  I  see  another  law  in  my  members,  warring  with 
the  law  of  my  mind  and  leading  me  captive  under  the  law  of  sin 
which  is  in  my  members.  Wretched  man  that  I  am!  who  will 


264 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


deliver  me  from  this  body  of  death?  Thanks  be  to  God  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord!  So  then  I  myself  with  my  mind  serve 
the  Law  of  God,  but  with  my  flesh  the  law  of  sin. 

VIII 

There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  those  who  are  in 
Christ  Jesus.  For  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus 
has  freed  you  from  the  Law  of  sin  and  death.  For,  what  was 
impossible  for  the  Law,  because  it  was  weak  through  the  flesh  — 
God,  sending  his  own  Son  in  the  form  of  sinful  flesh  and  for  sin, 
condemned  the  sin  that  is  in  the  flesh,  so  that  the  righteousness 
required  by  the  Law  might  be  fulfilled  in  us  who  live  not  ac¬ 
cording  to  the  flesh,  but  according  to  the  spirit.  For  those  who 
are  living  according  to  the  flesh  have  their  minds  on  the  things 
of  the  flesh,  but  those  who  are  living  according  to  the  spirit 
have  their  minds  on  the  things  of  the  spirit.  Fleshly  minded¬ 
ness  is  death,  but  spiritual  mindedness  is  life  and  peace. 
Therefore  fleshly  mindedness  is  hostile  to  God;  for  it  is  not 
subject  to  the  Law  of  God,  nor  can  it  be.  Those  who  are  in 
the  flesh  cannot  please  God. 

But  you  are  not  in  the  flesh,  but  in  the  spirit,  if  the  Spirit  of 
God  dwells  in  you.  If  any  one  has  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  that 
man  is  not  his.  If  Christ  is  in  you  the  body  is  dead  because  of 
sin,  but  the  spirit  is  life  because  of  righteousnesss.  If  the  Spirit 
of  him  who  raised  up  Jesus  from  the  dead  dwells  in  you,  he 
who  raised  up  Christ  Jesus  from  the  dead  gives  life  even  to 
your  mortal  bodies,  through  his  indwelling  Spirit  in  you. 

So  then,  brethren,  we  are  debtors,  not  to  the  flesh  to  live 
according  to  the  flesh;  for  if  you  live  according  to  the  flesh,  you 
will  die;  but  if  by  the  Spirit  you  put  to  death  the  practices  of 
the  body,  you  will  live.  For  as  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit 
of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God.  For  you  did  not  receive 
a  spirit  of  bondage  leading  again  to  fear,  but  you  received  a 
spirit  of  sonship,  in  which  we  cry,  Abba,  Father.  The  Spirit 
itself  witnesses  with  our  spirits  that  we  are  children  of  God. 
And  if  children,  we  are  also  heirs  —  heirs  of  God,  joint  heirs 
with  Christ,  since  we  suffer  with  him  that  we  may  also  be 
glorified  with  him. 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


265 


For  I  estimate  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  amount 
to  nothing  in  comparison  with  the  glory  that  is  to  be  revealed 
for  us.  For  the  earnest  expectation  of  the  creation  is  waiting 
for  the  revelation  of  the  sons  of  God.  For  the  creation  was 
made  subject  to  folly  not  willingly,  but  for  the  sake  of  him  who 
subjected  it,  in  hope,  because  the  creation  itself  will  be  freed 
from  the  slavery  of  decay  into  the  glorious  freedom  of  the 
children  of  God.  For  we  know  that  all  the  creation  groans  in 
the  pangs  of  childbirth  until  now.  And  not  the  creation  alone, 
but  we  ourselves  also  who  have  the  first-fruits  of  the  Spirit, 
groan  within  ourselves  in  expectation  of  the  sonship,  the  lib¬ 
eration  of  our  bodies.  For  we  are  saved  by  hope;  but  hope  that 
is  seen  is  not  hope,  for  what  any  one  sees,  why  does  he  hope 
for?  But  if  we  hope  for  what  we  do  not  see,  we  patiently  wait 
for  it. 

Thus  also  the  Spirit  helps  us  in  our  weakness.  For  we  do  not 
know  what  to  pray  for  as  we  ought,  but  the  Spirit  itself  inter¬ 
cedes  for  us  with  sighs  beyond  words.  And  he  who  searches 
hearts  knows  what  is  the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  because  he  inter¬ 
cedes  for  the  holy  according  to  the  will  of  God. 

We  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  those  who 
love  God,  to  those  who  are  called  according  to  his  purpose. 
For  those  whom  he  foreknew  he  also  predetermined  to  be  con¬ 
formed  to  the  image  of  his  Son,  that  he  might  be  the  first-born 
among  many  brethren.  And  those  whom  he  predetermined  he 
also  called,  and  those  whom  he  called  he  also  pronounced  right¬ 
eous,  and  those  whom  he  pronounced  righteous  he  also  glorified. 

What  then  shall  we  say  to  this?  If  God  is  for  us,  who  is 
against  us?  He  who  did  not  spare  his  own  Son,  but  gave  him 
up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with  him  graciously  give 
us  all  things?  Who  shall  bring  a  charge  against  God’s  elect? 
God  pronounces  them  righteous.  Who  is  there  to  condemn? 
Christ  Jesus  died,  or  rather  was  raised,  and  he  is  on  the  right 
hand  of  God  interceding  for  us.  Who  shall  separate  us  from 
Christ’s  love?  Shall  trial  or  distress  or  persecution  or  famine 
or  nakedness  or  danger  or  sword?  (As  it  is  written,  “For  thy 
sake  we  are  killed  all  the  day.  We  are  counted  as  sheep  for 
slaughter.”)  On  the  contrary,  in  all  these  we  more  than  con- 


266 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


quer  through  him  who  loved  us.  For  I  am  persuaded  that 
neither  death  nor  life  nor  angels  nor  archangels,  nor  things 
present  nor  things  to  come,  nor  powers,  nor  height  nor  depth 
nor  any  other  created  thing  will  be  able  to  separate  us  from 
God’s  love  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

IX 

I  am  speaking  the  truth  in  Christ;  I  am  saying  nothing  false; 
my  conscience  bears  witness  with  me  in  the  Holy  Spirit  that  I 
have  great  grief  and  unceasing  pain  in  my  heart.  For  I  could 
wish  myself  to  be  accursed  and  cast  away  from  Christ  for  the 
sake  of  my  brethren,  my  kinsmen  according  to  the  flesh,  who 
are  Israelites,  whose  is  the  sonship  and  the  glory  and  the 
covenants  and  the  reception  of  the  law  and  the  worship  and 
the  promises;  whose  are  the  fathers  and  from  whom  by  physi¬ 
cal  descent  the  Christ  came.  God  who  is  over  all  be  blessed 
through  the  ages!  Amen. 

Not  that  God’s  word  has  failed.  For  not  all  who  are  of 
Israel  are  Israel;  nor  because  they  are  descendants  of  Abraham 
are  they  all  children;  but  “ through  Isaac  shall  your  descend¬ 
ants  be  named.”  That  is,  not  the  physical  descendants  are 
children,  but  the  children  of  the  promise  are  counted  for 
descendants.  For  the  wording  of  the  promise  was,  “At  this 
time  next  year  I  will  come  and  Sarah  shall  have  a  son.”  And 
not  only  so,  but  when  Rebecca  was  about  to  bear  children  to 
our  father  Isaac,  though  the  same  man  was  father  of  both 
children  and  they  were  not  yet  born  and  had  done  nothing 
good  or  bad,  in  order  that  the  purpose  of  God  according  to  his 
choice  might  stand,  not  according  to  their  works,  but  accord¬ 
ing  to  his  call,  it  was  said  to  her,  “The  older  shall  serve  the 
younger.”  In  the  same  way  it  is  written,  “Jacob  I  loved,  but 
Esau  I  hated.” 

What  shall  we  say  then?  Is  there  unrighteousness  on  God’s 
part?  Never.  For  he  says  to  Moses,  “I  will  have  mercy  on 
whom  I  have  mercy  and  I  will  have  compassion  on  whom  I 
have  compassion.”  So  then  it  is  not  a  question  of  the  man  who 
wills  or  who  runs,  but  of  God  who  shows  mercy.  For  the  Scrip¬ 
ture  says  to  Pharaoh,  “For  this  very  purpose  I  raised  you  up 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


267 


in  order  to  show  my  power  upon  you  and  to  have  my  name 
proclaimed  in  all  the  earth.”  So  then  he  has  mercy  on  whom 
he  chooses  and  he  hardens  whom  he  chooses. 

You  will  say  to  me  then,  “  Why  does  he  still  find  fault?  For 
who  has  opposed  his  will?”  But  who  are  you,  O  man,  who  are 
answering  back  to  God?  Does  the  thing  that  is  moulded  say 
to  the  moulder,  “  Why  have  you  made  me  so?  ”  Has  not  the 
potter  the  right  to  make  from  the  same  lump  of  clay  one  vessel 
for  honor  and  another  for  dishonor?  What  if  God,  choosing  to 
exhibit  his  wrath  and  to  make  known  what  he  can  do,  bore  in 
long  patience  the  vessels  of  wrath  made  for  destruction,  and  in 
order  to  make  known  the  richness  of  his  glory  upon  the  vessels 
of  mercy  which  he  had  prepared  for  glory  called  us  not  only 
from  the  Jews  but  also  from  the  Gentiles?  As  also  he  says  in 
Hosea,  “Those  who  are  not  my  people  I  will  call  my  people, 
and  her  who  has  not  been  beloved  I  will  call  beloved,  and  in  the 
place  where  it  was  said  to  them,  ‘You  are  not  my  people/  there 
they  shall  be  called  sons  of  the  living  God.”  Isaiah  cried  aloud 
regarding  Israel,  “Though  the  number  of  the  sons  of  Israel  is 
as  the  sand  of  the  sea,  only  a  remnant  will  be  saved.  For  the 
Lord  will  execute  his  sentence  on  the  earth  completely  and 
speedily.”  Even  as  Isaiah  predicted,  “Unless  the  Lord  of  ar¬ 
mies  had  left  us  some  descendants,  we  should  have  become  like 
Sodom  and  should  have  been  made  to  resemble  Gomorrah.” 

What  shall  we  say  then?  That  Gentiles  who  did  not  pur¬ 
sue  righteousness  obtained  righteousness,  the  righteousness  of 
faith,  but  Israel  pursuing  after  the  Law  of  righteousness  did  not 
attain  to  the  Law,  Why?  Because  they  pursued  it  not  by 
faith,  but  as  it  were  by  works.  They  stumbled  over  that  stum¬ 
bling  stone,  as  it  is  written,  “See,  I  am  laying  in  Zion  a  stum¬ 
bling  stone,  a  rock  to  trip  over,  but  he  who  has  faith  in  him  will 
never  be  put  to  shame.” 


X 

Brethren,  the  desire  of  my  heart  and  my  prayer  to  God  for 
them  is  for  their  salvation.  For  I  bear  them  witness  that  they 
have  a  zeal  for  God,  but  not  an  intelligent  one.  For,  ignorant 
of  God’s  righteousness  and  seeking  to  establish  their  own,  they 


268 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


have  not  submitted  to  God’s  righteousness.  For  Christ  is  the 
end  of  the  Law  for  righteousness  to  every  believer.  For  Moses 
writes  that  he  who  does  the  righteousness  of  the  Law  shall  live 
by  it.  But  the  righteousness  of  faith  says,  “  Do  not  say  in  your 
heart,  ‘Who  shall  ascend  into  heaven?’”  that  is,  to  bring 
Christ  down  —  “or,  ‘Who  shall  descend  into  the  abyss?”’  — - 
that  is,  to  bring  up  Christ  from  the  dead.  But  what  does  it  say? 
“The  word  is  near  you,  in  your  mouth  and  in  your  heart”  — 
that  is,  the  word  of  faith  which  we  are  proclaiming,  that  if  you 
confess  with  your  mouth  the  Lord  Jesus  and  believe  in  your 
heart  that  God  raised  him  from  the  dead  you  will  be  saved. 
For  with  the  heart  a  man  believes  and  becomes  righteous,  and 
with  the  mouth  he  confesses  and  attains  salvation.  For  the 
Scripture  says,  “No  one  who  believes  in  him  will  be  put  to 
shame.”  For  there  is  no  difference  between  Jew  and  Greek.  For 
there  is  the  same  Lord  of  all,  rich  toward  all  who  call  upon 
him.  For  “  Every  one  who  calls  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  will  be 
saved.” 

How  then  shall  they  call  on  him  in  whom  they  have  not 
believed?  How  shall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they  have 
not  heard?  How  shall  they  hear  without  some  one  to  proclaim 
him?  How  shall  they  proclaim  him  unless  they  are  sent?  As 
it  is  written,  “How  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  those  who  bring 
good  news!” 

But  have  not  all  heard  the  good  news?  For  Isaiah  says, “  Lord, 
who  has  believed  our  report?”  So  then  faith  comes  from  the 
report  and  report  comes  through  the  word  of  Christ.  But  I 
say,  it  cannot  be  true  that  they  have  not  heard,  can  it?  On 
the  contrary,  “Their  sound  has  gone  out  into  all  the  earth  and 
their  words  to  the  ends  of  the  world.  ”  I  say,  it  cannot  be  that 
Israel  did  not  know,  can  it?  First  Moses  says,  “  I  will  excite  you 
to  jealousy  by  what  is  not  a  nation  and  by  a  foolish  nation  I  will 
provoke  you  to  anger.”  And  Isaiah  makes  bold  to  say,  “  I  was 
found  by  those  who  were  not  seeking  me:  I  became  manifest 
to  those  who  were  not  inquiring  for  me.”  But  to  Israel  he 
says,  “All  day  long  I  stretched  forth  my  hands  to  a  people  who 
disobey  and  answer  back.” 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


269 


XI 

I  say  then,  can  it  be  that  God  has  repudiated  his  people? 
Never.  For  I  am  an  Israelite,  a  descendant  of  Abraham,  of  the 
tribe  of  Benjamin.  God  has  not  repudiated  his  people  whom 
he  foreknew.  Do  you  not  know  what  the  Scripture  says  in  the 
story  of  Elijah,  how  he  prays  to  God  against  Israel?  “Lord, 
they  have  killed  thy  prophets:  they  have  demolished  thy  altars, 
and  I  only  am  left  and  they  are  seeking  my  life.”  But  what 
was  the  divine  response?  “  I  have  left  to  myself  seven  thousand 
men  who  have  not  knelt  to  Baal.”  So  at  this  present  time  there 
is  a  remnant  according  to  a  gracious  selection.  But  if  it  is  by 
grace  it  is  no  longer  because  of  works,  for  then  grace  would  be 
no  longer  grace. 

What  then?  Israel  has  not  found  what  it  is  seeking,  but  the  a 
chosen  have  found  it.  And  the  rest  have  been  made  dull,  as  it  is 
written,  “God  gave  them  a  stupid  spirit,  eyes  not  for  seeing 
and  ears  not  for  hearing  until  this  day.”  And  David  says, 

“  Let  their  table  become  a  snare  and  a  trap,  a  stumbling  block 
and  a  retribution.  Let  their  eyes  be  darkened  so  as  not  to  see, 
and  bow  down  their  backs  always.” 

I  say,  then,  have  they  stumbled  just  in  order  that  they  may 
fall?  Never.  But  by  their  fall  salvation  comes  to  the  Gentiles 
so  as  to  arouse  the  emulation  of  the  Jews.  If  their  fall  is  the 
riches  of  the  world  and  their  loss  the  riches  of  the  Gentiles, 
how  much  more  will  their  full  restoration  be! 

But  I  say  to  you  Gentiles  —  since  I  am  an  apostle  to  Gen¬ 
tiles  I  glory  in  my  office,  if  in  any  way  I  may  arouse  to  emula¬ 
tion  my  own  kindred  and  save  some  of  them  —  if  their  rejec¬ 
tion  is  the  reconciliation  of  the  world,  what  will  their  welcome 
back  be  but  life  from  the  dead?  If  the  first  fruit  was  holy, 
so  will  the  mass  be;  and  if  the  root  was  holy,  so  will  be  the 
branches. 

If  some  of  the  branches  were  broken  off  and  you,  who  are  a 
wild  olive,  were  grafted  in  among  them  and  became  a  sharer  in 
the  root  and  rich  sap  of  the  olive,  do  not  exult  over  the  branches. 
Even  though  you  exult,  it  is  not  you  who  are  supporting  the 
root,  but  the  root  is  supporting  you.  You  will  say  then, 


270 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


“Branches  were  broken  off  so  that  I  might  be  grafted  in.” 
Certainly,  for  lack  of  faith  they  were  broken  off,  and  you  are 
standing  by  faith.  Do  not  be  proud,  but  be  afraid.  For  if  God 
did  not  spare  the  natural  branches,  neither  will  he  spare  you. 
See  the  kindness  and  the  rigor  of  God,  toward  those  who  fell 
rigor,  but  toward  you  God’s  kindness,  if  you  continue  in  his 
kindness,  else  you  too  will  be  cut  off.  And  they  if  they  do  not 
continue  in  their  unbelief  will  be  grafted  in.  For  God  is  able  to 
graft  them  back.  For  if  you  were  cut  from  your  natural  stock, 
a  wild  olive  tree,  and  were  grafted,  contrary  to  nature,  into  a 
good  olive  tree,  how  much  more  will  the  natural  branches  be 
grafted  into  their  own  olive  tree! 

I  would  not  have  you  ignorant,  brethren,  of  this  mystery, 
that  you  may  not  be  self-conceited,  because  stupidity  in  a 
measure  has  come  upon  Israel  until  the  full  number  of  Gentiles 
comes  in,  and  thus  all  Israel  will  be  saved,  as  it  is  written, 
“From  Zion  will  come  the  deliverer.  He  will  remove  ungodli¬ 
ness  from  Jacob.  And  this  is  my  covenant  with  them  when  I 
take  away  their  sins.”  According  to  the  good  news  they  are 
enemies  for  your  sake,  but  according  to  the  promise  they  are 
beloved  for  their  fathers’  sake.  God  never  changes  his  mind 
about  his  gifts  and  his  call.  For  as  you  were  once  disobedient 
to  God,  but  now  have  found  mercy  through  their  disobedience, 
so  they  have  now  been  disobedient  in  your  time  of  mercy,  that 
they  too  may  now  obtain  mercy.  For  God  has  shut  up  all  in 
unbelief  in  order  that  he  may  have  mercy  on  all.  O  the  depth 
of  the  wealth  both  of  the  wisdom  and  the  knowledge  of  God! 
How  unsearchable  are  his  judgments,  how  untraceable  his 
ways!  For  who  has  known  the  mind  of  the  Lord?  Or  who 
became  his  counsellor?  Who  first  gave  to  him  so  as  to  receive 
repayment?  For  from  him  and  through  him  and  to  him  are  all 
things.  To  him  be  glory  through  the  ages!  Amen. 

XII 

I  beg  you  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  to  present 
your  bodies  as  a  living  and  holy  sacrifice,  pleasing  to  God  — 
your  rational  worship.  Do  not  follow  the  fashions  of  this 
world,  but  be  transformed  by  the  renewal  of  your  minds  so  as 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


271 


to  recognize  what  is  the  good  and  pleasing  and  perfect  will  of 
God.  Through  the  grace  given  to  me  I  say  to  every  one  among 
you  not  to  think  of  himself  more  highly  than  he  ought,  but  to 
think  so  as  to  become  wise,  as  God  has  allotted  to  each  a  meas¬ 
ure  of  faith.  For  as  in  one  body  we  have  many  members  and 
the  members  do  not  all  have  the  same  function,  so  we  who  are 
many  are  one  body  in  Christ  and  individually  members  of  one 
another.  Having  gifts  differing  according  to  the  grace  given  to 
us,  if  it  is  prophecy,  let  us  use  it  according  to  the  proportion  of 
our  faith;  if  it  is  service,  let  us  use  it  in  service.  Let  the  teacher 
use  his  gift  in  teaching.  Let  the  exhorter  use  his  gift  in  exhort¬ 
ing.  Let  him  who  gives  do  it  in  simplicity.  Let  him  who 
manages  do  it  earnestly.  Let  him  who  helps  the  needy  do  it 
cheerfully. 

Let  your  love  be  without  pretense.  Abhor  what  is  evil;  cling 
to  the  good.  Have  brotherly  love  toward  one  another  like 
family  affection,  in  honor  preferring  one  another,  never  flagging 
in  zeal,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord,  rejoicing  in  hope, 
patient  in  trial,  constant  in  prayer,  contributing  to  the  needs  of 
the  holy,  devoted  to  hospitality. 

Pray  for  blessings  on  your  persecutors,  blessings,  not  curses. 
Rejoice  with  those  who  rejoice,  weep  with  those  who  weep. 
Be  in  harmony  with  one  another.  Do  not  be  thinking  of  high 
things,  but  be  content  with  humble  things.  Do  not  become 
conceited.  Repay  to  no  one  evil  for  evil.  Aim  at  what  is  honor¬ 
able  in  the  sight  of  all  men.  If  possible,  so  far  as  depends  on 
you,  live  at  peace  with  all  men.  Do  not  revenge  yourselves, 
beloved,  but  give  place  to  God’s  wrath.  For  it  is  written, 
“  Vengeance  is  mine;  I  will  repay,  says  the  Lord.”  But,  “if 
your  enemy  is  hungry,  feed  him;  if  he  is  thirsty,  give  him  drink; 
for  in  so  doing  you  will  heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head.”  Do  not 
be  overcome  by  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good. 

XIII 

Let  every  person  be  obedient  to  the  superior  authorities.  For 
there  is  no  authority  except  from  God  and  the  actual  authori¬ 
ties  have  been  appointed  by  God.  So  he  who  resists  the  author¬ 
ity  opposes  the  arrangement  of  God.  Those  who  resist  will 


272 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


bring  on  themselves  condemnation.  For  rulers  are  not  a  terror 
to  good  deeds,  but  to  bad.  Do  you  wish  not  to  fear  the  author¬ 
ity?  Do  what  is  good  and  you  will  have  praise  from  it.  For  he 
is  a  servant  of  God  to  promote  your  good.  But  if  you  are  doing 
evil,  be  afraid;  for  he  does  not  bear  the  sword  to  no  purpose. 
For  he  is  God’s  servant  to  inflict  his  wrath  on  him  who  practices 
evil.  Therefore  we  must  be  obedient,  not  only  because  of  the 
punishment  but  as  a  matter  of  conscience. 

For  this  reason  also  you  pay  tribute.  For  they  are  God’s 
officers  attending  to  this  very  thing.  Pay  to  all  their  dues, 
tribute  to  whom  tribute  is  due,  custom  to  whom  custom  is  due, 
respect  to  whom  respect  is  due,  honor  to  whom  honor  is  due. 
Owe  no  one  anything,  except  to  love  one  another.  He  who  loves 
the  other  has  fulfilled  the  Law.  For  the  commandments,  “  Thou 
shalt  not  commit  adultery,”  “  Thou  shalt  not  commit  murder,” 
“ Thou  shalt  not  steal,”  “Thou  shalt  not  covet,”  and  any  other 
that  there  may  be,  are  summed  up  in  this:  “Thou  shalt  love 
thy  neighbor  as  thyself.”  Love  works  no  evil  to  a  neighbor. 
Love  therefore  is  full  obedience  to  the  Law. 

Live  thus  because  you  know  this  crisis,  for  it  is  already  time 
for  you  to  awake  from  sleep.  For  now  our  salvation  is  nearer 
than  when  we  became  believers.  The  night  is  far  spent,  the  day 
draws  near.  Let  us  put  away  the  deeds  of  darkness,  let  us  put 
on  the  weapons  of  light.  Let  us  live  becomingly  as  in  the  day, 
not  in  revelry  and  drunkenness,  not  in  sensuality  and  licen¬ 
tiousness,  not  in  quarrelling  and  jealousy.  But  put  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  and  make  no  provision  for  gratifying  physical 
passions. 

XIV 

Welcome  him  who  is  weak  in  the  faith,  but  not  in  order 
to  decide  disputed  questions.  One  man  believes  in  eating  all 
things.  The  weak  man  eats  vegetables.  The  man  who  eats  is 
not  to  despise  the  one  who  does  not  eat,  and  he  who  does  not 
eat  is  not  to  judge  the  one  who  eats.  For  God  has  accepted  him. 
Who  are  you  to  judge  the  servant  of  another?  To  his  own 
master  he  stands  or  falls,  and  stand  he  will,  for  God  is  able  to 
make  him  stand. 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


273 


One  man  esteems  one  day  above  another,  another  man 
esteems  every  day.  Let  each  be  fully  persuaded  in  his  own 
mind.  He  who  regards  the  day  regards  it  to  the  Lord  and  he 
who  eats  eats  to  the  Lord,  for  he  gives  thanks  to  God.  And  he 
who  does  not  eat  abstains  for  the  Lord  and  gives  thanks  to 
God.  For  no  one  of  us  is  living  for  himself  and  no  one  dies  for 
himself.  If  we  live  we  live  for  the  Lord  and  if  we  die  we  die  for 
the  Lord.  So  whether  we  live  or  die  we  are  the  Lord’s.  For  to 
this  end  Christ  died  and  lived  again,  in  order  that  he  might  be 
Lord  both  of  the  dead  and  of  the  living. 

But  you,  why  do  you  judge  your  brother?  Or  you,  why  do 
you  treat  your  brother  with  contempt?  For  we  shall  all  stand 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  God.  For  it  is  written,  “As  I  live, 
says  the  Lord,  every  knee  shall  bend  to  me  and  every  tongue 
shall  confess  to  God.”  So  then  each  one  of  us  shall  give  account 
for  himself  to  God.  Therefore  let  us  no  longer  judge  one  an¬ 
other,  but  let  us  rather  decide  not  to  put  a  stumbling  block  in 
a  brother’s  way,  or  anything  to  trip  him  up. 

I  know  and  am  persuaded  in  the  Lord  Jesus  that  nothing  is 
defiling  in  itself.  But  to  one  who  thinks  anything  to  be  defiling 
it  is  defiling.  If  because  of  your  food  your  brother  is  grieved, 
you  are  no  longer  walking  in  love.  Do  not  with  your  food 
destroy  him  for  whom  Christ  died.  Do  not  let  what  is  good  to 
you  be  spoken  of  as  evil.  For  the  kingdom  of  God  is  not  food 
and  drink,  but  righteousness  and  peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Spirit.  For  he  who  thus  serves  Christ  is  pleasing  to  God  and 
esteemed  by  men.  Therefore,  let  us  seek  for  what  makes  for 
peace  and  our  mutual  upbuilding.  Do  not  for  the  sake  of  food 
break  down  the  work  of  God.  All  things  are  pure,  but  any¬ 
thing  is  evil  to  the  man  who  eats  it  with  a  feeling  of  doing 
wrong.  It  is  noble  not  to  eat  meat  or  to  drink  wine  or  to  do 
anything  over  which  your  brother  stumbles.  The  faith  that 
you  have,  have  to  yourself  before  God.  Blessed  is  the  man 
who  does  not  condemn  himself  for  what  he  allows  himself.  He 
who  has  doubts  and  still  eats  stands  condemned,  because  he  is 
not  acting  from  faith.  But  whatever  does  not  spring  from  faith 
is  sin. 


274 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


XV 

We  who  are  strong  ought  to  bear  the  infirmities  of  the  weak, 
and  not  to  please  ourselves.  Each  of  us  should  please  his 
neighbor  for  his  good  so  as  to  build  him  up.  For  Christ  did  not 
please  himself,  but,  as  it  is  written,  “The  reproaches  of  those 
who  were  reproaching  thee  fell  on  me.”  All  that  was  written  of 
old  was  written  for  our  instruction,  in  order  that  by  patience 
and  by  the  encouragement  of  the  Scriptures  we  may  have  hope. 
May  the  God  of  patience  and  encouragement  grant  to  you  to 
have  harmony  with  one  another,  in  the  manner  of  Christ  Jesus, 
so  that  with  one  mind  and  one  voice  you  may  glorify  the  God 
and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Therefore,  welcome  one  another  as  Christ  welcomed  us,  to 
the  glory  of  God.  For  I  say  that  Christ  became  a  servant  of  cir¬ 
cumcision  for  the  sake  of  God’s  truth,  in  order  to  confirm  the 
promises  given  to  the  fathers  and  that  the  Gentiles  might 
glorify  God  for  his  mercy,  as  it  is  written,  “For  this  will  I  con¬ 
fess  thee  among  the  Gentiles  and  sing  to  thy  name.”  And  again 
Scripture  says,  “Rejoice,  Gentiles,  with  his  people.”  And 
again,  “Sing  to  the  Lord,  all  Gentiles,  and  let  all  the  peoples 
praise  him.”  And  again  Isaiah  says,  “There  will  be  a  root  of 
Jesse,  and  one  who  rises  to  rule  Gentiles:  in  him  Gentiles  will 
hope.”  May  the  God  of  hope  fill  you  with  all  joy  and  peace  in 
believing,  so  that  you  may  abound  in  hope  through  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit! 

I  am  persuaded,  my  brethren  —  yes,  I  myself  —  regarding 
you,  that  you  are  full  of  goodness,  filled  with  all  knowledge, 
able  to  instruct  one  another.  But  I  have  written  rather  boldly 
to  you,  partly  to  remind  you,  because  of  the  grace  given  to  me 
from  God,  that  I  may  be  a  minister  of  Christ  Jesus  to  the 
Gentiles,  in  priestly  service  of  the  good  news  of  God,  in  order 
that  the  offering  of  the  Gentiles  may  be  acceptable,  sanctified 
by  the  Holy  Spirit.  I  do  boast  in  Christ  Jesus  of  my  work  for 
God.  For  I  will  not  venture  to  speak  except  of  what  Christ  has 
done  through  me  to  promote  obedience  of  Gentiles,  by  word 
and  deed,  through  the  power  of  signs  and  wonders,  by  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  so  that  from  Jerusalem  around  to  Illyricum, 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


275 


I  have  fully  proclaimed  the  good  news  of  Christ,  being  ambi¬ 
tious  to  tell  the  good  news  where  Christ  has  not  been  named,  so 
that  I  might  not  build  on  any  other  man’s  foundation,  but  as 
it  is  written,  “  They  who  have  had  no  message  of  him  shall  see, 
and  they  who  have  not  heard  shall  understand.” 

This  is  why  I  have  been  so  much  hindered  in  coming  to  you. 
But  now  having  no  more  territory  in  these  regions  and  hav¬ 
ing  for  many  years  had  a  strong  desire  to  come  to  you  while 
making  a  journey  to  Spain,  I  hope  to  see  you  as  I  pass  through 
and  to  be  furthered  on  my  journey  by  you,  after  first  partially 
satisfying  my  desire  of  being  with  you.  But  now  I  am  on  my 
way  to  Jerusalem  to  render  service  to  the  holy.  For  Macedonia 
and  Achaia  have  been  pleased  to  make  a  contribution  for  the 
poor  among  the  holy  in  Jerusalem.  They  have  been  pleased 
to  do  this  and  indeed  they  are  indebted  to  them.  For  if  the 
Gentiles  have  shared  their  things  of  the  spirit,  they  owe  them 
sacred  service  in  things  of  the  body.  So  after  completing  this 
and  sealing  to  them  this  fruit  I  shall  come  away  and  pass  by 
you  to  Spain.  And  I  know  that  when  I  come  to  you  it  will  be 
in  the  fullness  of  the  blessing  of  Christ. 

I  beg  you,  brethren,  for  the  sake  of  our  Lord  Jesus  and  the 
love  of  the  Spirit  to  join  me  in  wrestling  in  prayer  to  God  on 
my  behalf,  that  I  may  be  delivered  from  the  unbelievers  in 
Judaea  and  that  my  service  in  Jerusalem  may  be  pleasing  to 
the  holy,  that  I  may  come  to  you  with  joy  by  the  will  of  God 
and  be  refreshed  with  you.  The  God  of  peace  be  with  all  of 
you!  Amen. 

XVI 

I  commend  to  you  our  sister  Phoebe,  a  servant  of  the  church  in 
Cenchreae,  that  you  may  receive  her  in  the  Lord  in  a  way  wor¬ 
thy  of  the  holy,  and  help  her  in  any  matter  in  which  she  may 
need  you.  For  she  has  been  a  provider  for  many,  myself 
included. 

Give  my  greetings  to  Prisca  and  Aquila,  my  fellow  workers 
in  Christ  Jesus,  who  for  my  life  risked  their  own  necks,  to  whom 
not  I  alone  give  thanks,  but  also  all  the  churches  of  the  Gen¬ 
tiles.  Give  my  greetings  also  to  the  church  in  their  house. 


276 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


Give  my  greetings  to  Epsenetus  my  beloved,  who  is  the  first- 
fruit  of  Asia  for  Christ.  Give  my  greetings  to  Mary,  who  has 
worked  hard  for  you.  Give  my  greetings  to  Andronicus  and 
Junias,  men  of  my  race  and  my  companions  in  prison,  who  are 
eminent  among  the  apostles,  who  also  were  in  Christ  before 
me.  Give  my  greetings  to  Ampliatus  my  beloved  in  the  Lord. 
Give  my  greetings  to  Urbanus  our  fellow  worker  in  Christ,  and 
to  Stachys  my  beloved.  Give  my  greetings  to  Apelles,  that 
tested  man  in  Christ.  Give  my  greetings  to  the  household  of 
Aristobulus.  Give  my  greetings  to  Herodion,  who  is  of  my  race. 
Give  my  greetings  to  those  of  the  household  of  Narcissus  who 
are  in  the  Lord.  Give  my  greetings  to  Tryphsena  and  Try- 
phosa,  those  workers  in  the  Lord.  Give  my  greetings  to  Persia 
the  beloved,  who  has  worked  hard  in  the  Lord.  Give  my  greet¬ 
ings  to  Rufus  the  chosen  in  the  Lord,  and  to  his  mother  and 
mine.  Give  my  greetings  to  Asyncritus,  Phlegon,  Hermes, 
Petrobas,  Hermas,  and  the  brethren  with  them.  Give  my 
greetings  to  Philologus,  and  Julia,  Nereus  and  his  sister,  and 
Olympas,  and  all  the  holy  with  them.  Give  my  greetings  to 
one  another  writh  a  holy  kiss.  All  the  churches  of  Christ  send 
their  greetings  to  you. 

I  beg  you,  brethren,  to  keep  your  eye  on  those  who  are  mak¬ 
ing  divisions  and  occasions  for  sin  contrary  to  the  teaching 
which  you  have  learned,  and  to  shun  them.  For  such  persons 
are  not  serving  our  Lord  Christ,  but  their  own  stomachs,  and 
by  their  smooth  and  pleasing  talk  they  mislead  the  hearts  of 
the  innocent.  For  your  obedience  has  come  to  the  knowledge 
of  all  men.  Therefore  I  rejoice  over  you,  but  I  wish  you  to  be 
wise  regarding  what  is  good,  and  simple  in  regard  to  what  is 
evil.  The  God  of  peace  will  crush  Satan  under  your  feet 
shortly. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  be  with  you! 

Timothy,  my  fellow  worker,  sends  his  greeting,  and  so  do 
Lucius  and  Jason  and  Sosipater,  who  are  of  my  race.  I,  Tertius, 
who  penned  this  letter,  greet  you  in  the  Lord.  Gaius,  my 
host  and  the  host  of  the  whole  church,  sends  his  greetings. 
Erastus  the  city  treasurer  sends  his  greetings,  and  so  does 
Quartus  the  brother. 


LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS 


277 


To  him  who  is  able  to  make  you  strong  according  to  the 
good  news  which  I  bear,  and  the  proclamation  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  according  to  the  revelation  of  the  mystery  kept  secret 
through  ages,  but  now  made  manifest  through  the  prophetic 
Scriptures  by  the  command  of  the  eternal  God,  to  promote 
obedience  to  the  faith  made  known  to  all  the  Gentiles  —  to 
God,  the  only  wise,  be  glory  through  Jesus  Christ  for  the  ages 
of  the  ages! 


PAUL’S  FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE  CORINTHIANS 


Paul  called  by  the  will  of  God  to  be  an  apostle  of  Christ  Jesus, 
and  Sosthenes  our  brother,  to  the  Church  of  God  in  Corinth, 
made  holy  in  Christ  Jesus,  called  to  be  holy,  with  all  every¬ 
where  who  call  upon  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their 
Lord  and  ours: 

Grace  to  you  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  from  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ! 

I  am  always  thanking  God  for  you  because  of  the  grace  of 
God  given  to  you  in  Christ  Jesus,  that  you  are  rich  in  him  in 
everything,  in  readiness  of  speech  and  in  all  knowledge,  so 
that  my  testimony  to  Christ  has  been  confirmed  among  you 
and  so  that  you  are  not  lacking  in  any  gift  while  waiting  for 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be  revealed.  He  will  keep  you  strong 
to  the  end  and  free  from  reproach  on  the  day  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  God  is  faithful,  and  it  is  by  him  that  you  have 
been  called  into  the  fellowship  of  his  Son,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

I  beg  you,  brethren,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
all  to  say  the  same  thing  and  not  to  have  divisions  among  you, 
but  to  be  united  in  the  same  mind  and  in  the  same  opinion. 
For  it  has  been  told  me  regarding  you,  brethren,  by  Chloe’s 
people,  that  there  are  dissensions  among  you.  I  mean  that  each 
of  you  is  saying,  “I  belong  to  Paul,”  “I  belong  to  Apollos,” 
“I  belong  to  Cephas,”  or,  “I  belong  to  Christ.”  Has  Christ 
been  divided?  Was  Paul  crucified  for  you?  Or  were  you  bap¬ 
tized  in  the  name  of  Paul?  I  am  thankful  that  I  baptized  no 
one  of  you  except  Crispus  and  Gaius,  so  that  no  one  can  say 
that  you  were  baptized  in  my  name.  I  baptized  also  the 
household  of  Stephanas.  Beyond  that  I  do  not  know  that  I 
baptized  any  one  else.  For  Christ  did  not  send  me  to  baptize, 
but  to  proclaim  the  good  news  —  not  in  wisdom  of  words, 
that  the  cross  of  Christ  might  not  be  emptied  of  meaning. 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


279 


For  the  message  of  the  cross  is  foolishness  to  those  who  are 
perishing,  but  to  us  who  are  being  saved  it  is  the  power  of 
God.  For  it  is  written,  “I  will  destroy  the  wisdom  of  the  wise 
and  I  will  bring  to  nought  the  prudence  of  the  prudent.” 
Where  is  the  wise?  Where  is  the  scribe?  Where  is  the  debater 
of  this  world?  Has  not  God  made  foolish  the  wisdom  of  the 
world?  For  when  in  the  wisdom  of  God  the  world  by  its  wis¬ 
dom  did  not  come  to  know  God,  God  was  pleased  to  save 
through  the  foolishness  of  our  proclamation  those  who  believe. 
Jews  ask  for  signs  and  Greeks  seek  for  wisdom,  but  we  proclaim 
Christ  crucified,  to  Jews  a  stumbling  block,  to  Gentiles  folly, 
but  to  those  who  are  called,  whether  Jews  or  Greeks,  Christ, 
the  power  of  God  and  the  wisdom  of  God.  For  God’s  foolish¬ 
ness  is  wiser  than  men  and  God’s  weakness  is  stronger  than 
men. 

Consider  your  own  call,  brethren,  that  not  many  wise, 
humanly  speaking,  not  many  powerful,  not  many  high-born 
have  been  called.  But  God  has  chosen  the  foolish  things  of  the 
world  to  put  to  shame  the  wise,  and  God  has  chosen  the  weak 
things  of  the  world  to  put  to  shame  the  strong,  and  God  has 
chosen  the  low-born  things  and  the  things  of  no  account,  the 
things  that  are  not,  to  defeat  the  things  that  are,  that  no 
human  being  may  boast  in  God’s  presence.  By  God’s  act  you 
are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  has  become  to  us  wisdom  from  God  and 
righteousness  and  holiness  and  deliverance,  so  that,  as  it  is 
written,  “Let  him  who  boasts  boast  in  the  Lord.” 

II 

And  I  in  coming  to  you,  brethren,  did  not  come  with  superi¬ 
ority  of  speech  or  of  wisdom,  announcing  to  you  the  testimony 
of  God.  For  I  determined  to  know  nothing  among  you  but 
Jesus  Christ  — -  and  him  crucified.  And  I  came  to  you  in  weak¬ 
ness  and  in  fear  and  in  much  trembling,  and  my  speech  and  my 
proclamation  were  not  in  persuasive  words  of  wisdom,  but  with 
spiritual  and  powerful  proof,  that  your  faith  might  not  depend 
on  the  wisdom  of  man  but  on  the  power  of  God.  We  do  speak 
wisdom  among  the  mature,  but  a  wisdom  not  of  this  world  nor 
of  the  defeated  rulers  of  this  world.  But  we  speak  a  wisdom  of 


280 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


God  in  a  mystery,  the  hidden  wisdom  which  God  predestined 
before  the  world  began  for  our  glory.  None  of  the  rulers  of 
this  world  knew  it,  for  if  they  had  known  it  they  would  not 
have  crucified  the  Lord  of  glory.  But  as  it  is  written,  “What 
eye  has  not  seen  and  what  ear  has  not  heard  and  what  has  not 
entered  human  mind,  God  has  prepared  for  those  who  love 
him.”  To  us  God  has  revealed  this  by  his  Spirit.  For  the 
Spirit  searches  all  things,  even  the  depths  of  God.  For  who  of 
men  knows  what  pertains  to  a  man  except  the  spirit  of  the  man 
which  is  in  him.  Just  so  no  one  knows  what  pertains  to  God 
except  the  Spirit  of  God.  But  we  did  not  receive  the  spirit  of 
the  world,  but  the  Spirit  that  is  from  God,  so  that  we  know  the 
gracious  gifts  of  God.  And  these  we  speak  of,  not  in  words 
taught  by  man’s  wisdom,  but  in  words  taught  by  the  Spirit, 
expressing  spiritual  things  in  spiritual  words.  But  the  animal 
man  does  not  receive  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  for  they 
are  foolishness  to  him,  nor  can  he  know  them  because  they  are 
spiritually  understood.  But  the  spiritual  man  understands  all 
things  though  he  himself  is  understood  by  no  one.  For  “Who 
has  known  the  mind  of  the  Lord?  Who  will  teach  him?”  But 
we  have  the  mind  of  Christ. 

Ill 

And  I  myself,  brethren,  could  not  speak  to  you  as  spiritual,  but 
as  fleshly,  as  babes  in  Christ.  I  fed  you  with  milk,  not  solid 
food.  For  you  were  not  able  to  take  it.  Nor  are  you  yet  able, 
for  you  are  still  fleshly.  For  while  there  is  jealousy  and  strife 
among  you,  are  you  not  fleshly  and  living  in  man’s  way?  For 
when  one  says,  “I  belong  to  Paul,”  and  another,  “I  belong  to 
Apollos,”  are  you  not  men?  What  then  is  Apollos?  What  is 
Paul?  Servants  through  whom  you  were  led  to  faith,  as  the 
Lord  granted  to  each  of  us.  I  planted,  Apollos  watered,  but 
God  made  the  seed  grow.  So  then  neither  is  he  who  planted 
anything  nor  he  who  watered,  but  God  who  makes  the  seed 
grow.  Each  will  receive  his  own  reward  according  to  his  own 
labor.  We  are  God’s  fellow  workers:  you  are  God’s  farm 
God’s  building. 

According  to  the  grace  of  God  granted  to  me,  as  a  wise 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


281 


master-builder  I  have  laid  a  foundation  and  another  is  building 
on  it.  But  let  each  be  careful  how  he  builds  on  it.  For  no  one 
can  lay  any  other  foundation  than  that  which  has  been  laid, 
which  is  Jesus  Christ.  If  any  one  builds  on  this  foundation 
gold,  silver,  costly  stones,  wood,  hay,  straw  —  every  one’s 
work  will  become  manifest.  For  the  day  will  show  it,  because 
it  will  be  revealed  in  fire  and  the  fire  will  test  each  one’s  work, 
of  what  quality  it  is.  If  the  work  which  any  one  has  built 
stands  he  will  get  a  reward.  If  any  one’s  work  burns  up  he  will 
suffer  loss,  though  he  himself  will  be  saved,  but  as  through  fire. 
Do  you  not  know  that  you  are  God’s  temple  and  the  Spirit  of 
God  dwells  in  you?  If  any  one  mars  the  temple  of  God,  God 
will  mar  him,  for  the  temple  of  God  is  holy,  and  you  are  the 
temple. 

Let  no  one  deceive  himself.  If  any  one  of  you  thinks  himself 
wise  in  this  world,  let  him  become  a  fool  in  order  to  become 
wise.  For  the  wisdom  of  this  world  is  foolishness  in  God’s 
sight.  For  it  is  written,  “He  catches  the  wise  in  their  own 
craftiness,”  and  again,  “The  Lord  knows  the  reasonings  of  the 
wise  to  be  futile.”  Therefore  let  no  one  boast  in  men.  For  all 
things  are  yours  —  Paul  or  Apollos  or  Cephas  or  the  world  or 
life  or  death  or  things  present  or  things  to  come  —  all  are 
yours  and  you  are  Christ’s  and  Christ  is  God’s. 

IV 

Let  a  man  view  us  as  servants  of  Christ  and  stewards  of  God’s 
mysteries.  Moreover,  in  the  case  of  stewards  it  is  required  that 
a  man  be  found  faithful.  But  it  is  of  very  slight  importance  to 
me  to  be  judged  by  you  or  any  human  court.  I  do  not  even 
pass  judgment  on  myself.  For  I  am  not  conscious  of  any 
wrong,  but  I  am  not  proved  by  that  to  be  faultless.  The  Lord 
is  my  judge.  So  do  not  judge  anything  before  the  time,  before 
the  Lord  comes.  He  will  throw  light  on  the  hidden  things  of 
darkness  and  will  make  manifest  the  purposes  of  hearts.  Then 
each  one  will  have  his  praise  from  God. 

All  this,  brethren,  I  have  applied  to  myself  and  Apollos  for 
your  sake,  that  you  may  learn  the  maxim,  “Nothing  beyond 
what  is  written,”  and  may  not  be  puffed  up  in  partisanship  for 


282 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


one  against  the  other.  For  who  gives  you  superiority?  What 
have  you  that  you  did  not  receive?  Why  are  you  boasting  as  if 
you  had  not  received  it?  You  are  already  fully  satisfied.  You 
have  already  become  rich.  You  have  become  kings  without  us. 
Would  that  you  had  become  kings  so  that  we  might  be  kings 
with  you!  For  it  seems  to  me  that  God  has  set  us  apostles  out 
last  of  all  as  men  doomed  to  death,  that  we  may  be  a  spectacle 
to  the  world  and  to  angels  and  to  men.  We  are  fools  for  Christ’s 
sake,  but  you  are  wise  in  Christ;  we  are  weak,  but  you  are 
strong;  you  have  glory,  but  we  are  despised.  Up  to  this  present 
hour  we  are  hungry  and  thirsty  and  naked  and  beaten.  We 
wander  about  and  labor,  working  with  our  own  hands.  When 
abused  we  bless,  when  persecuted  we  endure  it,  when  slandered 
we  entreat.  We  have  come  to  be,  as  it  were,  the  sweepings  of 
the  world,  the  riffraff  of  all  things  up  to  now. 

I  am  not  writing  this  to  shame  you,  but  to  warn  you  as  my 
beloved  children.  For  if  you  have  ten  thousand  teachers  in 
Christ,  still  you  have  not  many  fathers.  For  I  was  your  father 
in  Christ  Jesus  through  the  good  news.  So  I  beg  you  to  be 
imitators  of  me.  For  this  very  purpose  I  have  sent  to  you 
Timothy,  who  is  my  loved  and  faithful  child  in  the  Lord.  He 
will  remind  you  of  my  ways  in  Christ  —  how  I  teach  every¬ 
where  in  every  church. 

Some  persons  have  become  puffed  up,  thinking  that  I  am 
not  coming  to  you.  But  I  shall  come  to  you  shortly,  if  the 
Lord  wills,  and  I  will  find  out,  not  the  talk  of  these  puffed-up 
ones,  but  their  power.  For  the  kingdom  of  God  is  not  in  talk, 
but  in  power.  Which  do  you  wish?  Shall  I  come  with  a  rod  or 
in  love  and  a  spirit  of  gentleness? 

V 

It  is  generally  reported  that  there  is  unchastity  among  you, 
and  such  unchastity  as  is  not  even  among  the  Gentiles,  so  that 
a  man  has  his  father’s  wife!  And  you  are  puffed  up  with  pride 
and  have  not  rather  grieved  and  taken  steps  to  expel  from  among 
you  the  doer  of  this  deed!  For  I,  absent  in  body,  but  present 
in  spirit,  have  already  as  if  I  were  present  judged  the  man  who 
has  acted  thus.  When  you  assembled  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


283 


Jesus  and  my  spirit  was  also  present  with  the  power  of  our 
Lord  Jesus,  I  decided  to  deliver  over  such  a  one  to  Satan  for 
the  destruction  of  the  flesh,  that  the  spirit  may  be  saved  in  the 
day  of  the  Lord. 

Your  boasting  is  unbecoming.  Do  you  not  know  that  a  little 
yeast  sets  the  whole  mass  fermenting?  Cleanse  out  the  old 
yeast  that  you  may  be  new  dough,  free  from  yeast,  as  indeed 
you  are.  For  Christ,  our  Passover,  has  been  sacrificed.  So 
let  us  keep  the  festival,  not  with  the  old  yeast  nor  with  the 
yeast  of  evil  and  wickedness,  but  with  the  unleavened  bread  of 
sincerity  and  truth. 

I  wrote  to  you  in  my  letter  not  to  associate  with  unchaste 
people,  certainly  not  meaning  the  unchaste  of  this  world,  or 
the  covetous  or  extortionate  or  idolaters,  since  in  that  case  you 
would  have  to  leave  the  world.  But  now  I  write  to  you  not  to 
associate  with  any  one  who  is  called  a  brother,  if  he  is  unchaste 
or  covetous  or  idolatrous  or  abusive  or  drunken  or  extortionate 
—  not  even  to  eat  with  such  a  one.  For  what  business  of  mine 
is  it  to  judge  outsiders?  Is  it  not  for  you  to  judge  those  inside? 
But  outsiders  God  will  judge.  Expel  the  wicked  man  from 
among  yourselves. 


VI 

Does  any  one  of  you,  if  he  has  a  grievance  against  another, 
dare  to  bring  the  case  before  the  unrighteous  and  not  before 
the  holy?  Do  you  not  know  that  the  holy  are  going  to  judge 
the  world?  If  the  world  is  to  be  judged  by  you,  are  you  unfit 
for  the  most  trivial  cases?  Do  you  not  know  that  we  are  to 
judge  angels,  to  say  nothing  of  affairs  of  this  life?  If  then  you 
have  affairs  of  this  life,  do  you  ask  men  who  in  the  view  of  the 
church  count  for  nothing  to  sit  as  judges?  I  say  this  to  your 
shame.  Is  it  true  that  there  is  among  you  no  one  wise  enough 
to  judge  between  a  man  and  his  brother,  but  brother  goes  to 
law  with  brother  and  that  before  unbelievers?  Now  this  is  an 
utter  failure  on  your  part  that  you  have  lawsuits  with  one 
another.  Why  not  rather  let  yourselves  be  wronged?  Why  not 
rather  be  defrauded?  But  you  yourselves  practice  wrongs  and 
frauds  —  and  that  upon  your  brethren.  Do  you  not  know  that 


284 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


unrighteous  people  will  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God?  Make 
no  mistake,  neither  the  unchaste,  nor  idolaters,  nor  adulterers, 
nor  those  who  practice  unnatural  vices,  nor  thieves,  nor  the 
avaricious,  nor  drunkards,  nor  the  abusive,  nor  extortioners 
will  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.  And  such  some  of  you  were. 
But  you  have  washed  yourselves;  but  you  have  been  made 
holy;  but  you  have  been  pronounced  righteous  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  in  the  Spirit  of  our  God. 

All  things  are  lawful  for  me,  but  not  everything  is  beneficial. 
All  things  are  lawful,  but  I  will  not  be  overpowered  by  any¬ 
thing.  Food  of  all  kinds  is  for  the  stomach  and  the  stomach 
for  foods.  But  God  will  end  the  function  of  one  and  the  other. 
The  body  is  not  for  unchastity,  but  for  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord 
is  for  the  body.  God  raised  the  Lord  and  will  also  raise  us 
through  his  power.  Do  you  not  know  that  your  bodies  are 
members  of  Christ?  Shall  I  then  take  the  members  of  Christ 
and  make  them  members  of  a  prostitute?  Never!  Do  you  not 
know  that  he  who  unites  himself  to  a  prostitute  is  one  body 
with  her?  For  God  says,  “The  two  shall  become  one  flesh.” 
He  who  is  united  to  the  Lord  is  one  spirit.  Shun  unchastity. 
Every  other  sin  that  a  man  does  is  apart  from  the  body,  but 
the  unchaste  sins  against  his  own  body.  Do  you  not  know  that 
your  body  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Spirit  within  you,  which 
you  have  from  God,  and  that  you  are  not  your  own?  For  you 
were  bought  with  a  price.  Glorify  God  then  in  your  bodies. 

VII 

With  reference  to  the  matters  you  wrote  of:  It  is  an  excellent 
thing  for  a  man  not  to  touch  a  woman.  But  because  of  the 
prevailing  unchastity,  let  each  man  have  his  own  wife  and  each 
woman  her  own  husband.  Let  the  husband  pay  his  wife  con¬ 
jugal  dues  and  the  wife  her  husband.  The  wife  has  not  power 
over  her  own  body,  but  her  husband  has.  In  the  same  way  the 
husband  has  not  power  over  his  own  body,  but  his  wife  has. 
Do  not  deprive  one  another,  unless  by  agreement  for  a  time, 
that  you  may  have  freedom  for  prayer,  and  again  come  to¬ 
gether.  You  must  not  let  Satan  tempt  you  through  your  lack 
of  self-control.  I  say  this  by  way  of  indulgence,  not  by  way  of 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


285 


command.  I  wish  that  every  one  were  just  as  I  am.  But  each 
has  his  own  gift  from  God,  one  in  one  way  and  one  in  another. 

I  say  to  the  unmarried  and  the  widows,  it  is  excellent  for 
them  to  remain  as  I  do.  But  if  they  lack  self-control,  let  them 
marry.  It  is  better  to  marry  than  to  burn.  To  the  married  I 
command  —  yet  not  I,  but  the  Lord  —  that  the  wife  is  not  to 
leave  her  husband  (if  she  leaves  him  let  her  remain  unmarried 
or  be  reconciled  to  her  husband)  and  the  husband  is  not  to  put 
away  his  wife. 

To  the  rest  I  say  —  not  the  Lord:  If  any  brother  has  a  wife 
who  is  an  unbeliever  and  she  is  pleased  to  live  with  him,  let 
him  not  put  her  away.  And  if  any  woman  has  a  husband  who 
is  an  unbeliever  and  he  is  pleased  to  live  with  her,  let  her  not 
put  him  away.  For  the  unbelieving  husband  has  been  made 
holy  by  the  wife  and  the  unbelieving  wife  has  been  made  holy 
by  the  husband.  Otherwise  your  children  would  be  impure, 
but  now  they  are  holy.  But  if  the  unbelieving  one  actually 
leaves,  let  him  leave.  The  brother  or  sister  is  not  under 
bondage  in  such  cases;  but  God  has  called  you  to  peace.  For 
how  do  you  know,  O  wife,  whether  you  will  save  your  husband? 
Or  how  do  you  know,  0  husband,  whether  you  will  save  your 
wife? 

But,  as  the  Lord  has  allotted  to  each,  let  each  go  on  living  as 
when  God  called  him.  So  I  prescribe  in  all  the  churches.  Was 
any  one  already  circumcised  when  called?  Let  him  not  efface  it. 
Was  any  one  called  when  uncircumcised?  Let  him  not  become 
circumcised.  Circumcision  is  nothing  and  uncircumcision  is 
nothing,  but  the  keeping  of  the  commandments  of  God  is  all. 
Let  each  stay  in  that  condition  in  which  he  was  called.  Were 
you  called  when  a  slave?  Let  it  not  trouble  you.  On  the 
contrary,  even  if  you  can  become  free,  take  it  in  preference. 
For  the  slave  who  has  been  called  in  the  Lord  is  the  Lord’s 
freedman.  Just  so  the  free  man,  when  called,  is  the  slave  of 
Christ.  You  were  bought  with  a  price.  Do  not  become  slaves 
of  men.  Let  each  one,  brethren,  stay  in  that  condition  in 
which  he  was  called,  close  to  God. 

In  regard  to  unmarried  women  I  have  no  command  of  the 
Lord,  but  I  give  my  opinion  as  one  who  through  the  mercy  of 


286 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


the  Lord  is  trustworthy.  I  think  then  that  this  is  an  excellent 
thing  on  account  of  the  present  distress  —  that  it  is  an  excel¬ 
lent  thing  for  a  person  to  be  unmarried.  Have  you  been  bound 
to  a  wife?  Seek  not  release.  Have  you  been  freed  from  a  wife? 
Do  not  seek  a  wife.  But  even  if  you  marry,  you  have  not 
sinned.  Even  if  a  maiden  marries,  she  has  not  sinned.  But 
such  will  have  trouble  in  the  flesh,  and  I  would  spare  you. 

But  this  I  say,  brethren:  The  time  is  shortened.  For  what 
remains  let  those  who  have  wives  be  as  if  they  had  none,  and 
those  who  weep  as  if  they  wept  not,  and  those  who  rejoice  as 
if  they  rejoiced  not,  and  those  who  buy  as  if  they  possessed 
nothing,  and  those  who  use  the  world  as  if  not  overusing  it. 
For  the  present  order  of  this  world  is  passing  away. 

I  wish  you  to  be  free  from  worry.  The  unmarried  man  is 
anxious  about  the  things  of  the  Lord  —  how  he  may  please  the 
Lord.  The  married  man  is  anxious  about  the  things  of  the 
world  —  how  he  may  please  his  wife,  and  his  interest  is  divided. 
So  the  unmarried  woman  or  the  maiden  is  anxious  about  the 
things  of  the  Lord,  that  she  may  be  holy  in  body  and  spirit. 
But  the  married  woman  is  anxious  about  the  things  of  the 
world  —  how  she  may  please  her  husband.  This  I  say  for 
your  benefit,  not  to  throw  a  noose  over  you,  but  to  promote 
decorum  and  constant  devotion  to  the  Lord  without  distrac¬ 
tion. 

If  any  one  thinks  that  he  is  acting  unbecomingly  toward  his 
virgin,  if  she  is  ripe  for  marriage  and  there  is  need,  let  him  do 
what  he  will.  He  does  not  sin.  Let  them  marry.  He  who 
stands  firm  in  his  heart,  having  no  necessity,  and  has  power 
over  his  own  will  and  has  decided  in  his  heart  to  keep  his  virgin, 
will  do  well.  So  he  who  marries  his  virgin  does  well,  and  he 
who  does  not  marry  her  will  do  better. 

A  woman  is  bound  as  long  as  her  husband  is  living.  But  if 
her  husband  falls  asleep,  she  is  free  to  marry  whom  she  will, 
though  only  in  the  Lord.  But  in  my  opinion  she  is  happier 
if  she  stays  as  she  is.  And  I  think  that  I  have  the  Spirit  of 
God. 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


287 


VIII 

Now  as  to  things  that  have  been  sacrificed  to  idols,  we  know 
that  we  all  have  knowledge.  Knowledge  puffs  up,  but  love 
builds  up.  If  any  one  thinks  that  he  knows  anything,  he  does 
not  yet  know  as  he  ought  to  know.  If  any  one  loves  God,  he  is 
known  by  him.  Regarding  the  eating  of  things  that  have  been 
sacrificed  to  idols,  then,  we  know  that  an  idol  is  nothing  in  the 
world,  and  that  there  is  no  God  but  one.  And  though  there 
are  so-called  gods  in  heaven  and  on  earth,  for  there  are  gods 
many  and  lords  many,  still  to  us  there  is  one  God  the  Father, 
of  whom  are  all  things  and  we  for  him,  and  one  Lord,  Jesus 
Christ,  through  whom  are  all  things  and  we  through  him. 
Rut  all  have  not  this  knowledge.  Some,  having  been  ac¬ 
customed  to  idols  up  to  the  present  time,  eat  the  food  as  a 
sacrifice  to  an  idol,  and  their  conscience  being  weak  is  stained. 
But  food  does  not  bring  us  near  to  God,  for  neither  do  we  lose 
by  not  eating  nor  gain  by  eating.  But  be  careful  that  this 
power  of  yours  may  not  become  a  stumbling  block  to  the  weak. 
For  if  any  one  sees  you  who  have  knowledge  reclining  at  table 
in  an  idol's  temple,  will  not  the  conscience  of  that  weak  one  be 
emboldened  to  eat  things  that  have  been  sacrificed  to  idols? 
Thus  the  weak  man  is  ruined  by  your  knowledge  —  the 
brother  for  whom  Christ  died.  So  sinning  against  the  brethren 
and  wounding  their  weak  consciences  you  sin  against  Christ. 
Therefore  if  food  makes  my  brother  stumble  I  will  not  eat  meat 
while  the  world  stands,  for  fear  of  making  my  brother  stumble. 

IX 

Am  I  not  free?  Am  I  not  an  apostle?  Have  I  not  seen  Jesus 
our  Lord?  Are  you  not  my  work  in  the  Lord?  If  to  others  I 
am  not  an  apostle,  certainly  I  am  to  you.  For  you  are  the  seal 
of  my  apostleship  in  the  Lord.  My  defence  to  those  who  criti¬ 
cize  me  is  this :  Have  we  not  the  right  to  eat  and  drink?  Have 
we  not  the  right  to  take  about  with  us  a  sister  as  wife,  as  the 
rest  of  the  apostles  do  and  the  brothers  of  the  Lord  and  Cephas? 
Or  am  I  only,  and  Barnabas,  without  the  right  not  to  do 
manual  labor?  Who  ever  serves  as  a  soldier  and  supplies  his 


288 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


own  pay  and  rations?  Who  plants  a  vineyard  and  does  not  eat 
the  fruit  of  it?  Who  keeps  a  flock  and  does  not  drink  any  of  the 
milk  of  the  flock?  Am  I  saying  these  things  from  a  man’s  point 
of  view  or  does  not  the  Law  also  say  them?  For  in  the  Law  of 
Moses  it  is  written,  “You  shall  not  muzzle  an  ox  when  he  is 
treading  out  grain.”  Is  God  thinking  of  the  oxen?  or  does  he 
say  this  wholly  for  our  sakes?  For  our  sakes;  for  it  was  written 
because  the  plowman  ought  to  plow  in  hope  and  the  thresher 
ought  to  thresh  in  hope  of  having  a  share.  If  we  sowed  for  you 
things  of  the  spirit,  is  it  a  great  matter  if  we  reap  your  things  of 
the  flesh?  If  others  share  this  right  over  you,  do  not  we  still 
more? 

But  we  have  not  used  this  right.  No,  we  endure  all  things 
in  order  not  to  cause  any  hindrance  to  the  good  news  of 
Christ.  Do  you  not  know  that  those  who  do  the  work  of  the 
Temple  eat  the  things  that  come  from  the  Temple,  and  those 
who  minister  at  the  altar  share  with  the  altar?  So  the  Lord 
has  directed  that  those  who  proclaim  the  good  news  shall  have 
their  living  from  the  good  news.  But  I  have  used  none  of 
these  rights  and  I  am  not  writing  this  in  order  that  it  may  be 
done  in  my  case.  For  it  would  be  better  for  me  to  die  —  No 
one  shall  make  my  boast  an  empty  one!  For  although  I  tell 
the  good  news  I  have  nothing  to  boast  of.  For  a  necessity  is 
laid  upon  me.  Alas  for  me  if  I  do  not  tell  the  good  news!  If 
I  do  it  voluntarily  I  have  a  reward,  but  if  reluctantly,  I  have 
been  charged  with  a  responsibility.  What  then  is  my  reward? 
That  in  telling  the  good  news  I  make  the  good  news  free,  and 
do  not  take  full  advantage  of  my  rights  in  the  good  news. 
For  though  I  am  free  from  all  I  have  enslaved  myself  to  all 
that  I  may  gain  the  more.  I  became  to  the  Jews  a  Jew,  to  gain 
the  Jews;  to  those  under  law  as  under  law,  though  not  myself 
under  law,  to  gain  those  who  are  under  law.  To  those  without 
law,  I  became  as  without  law,  though  not  without  the  law  of 
God  and  under  the  law  of  Christ,  to  gain  those  who  are  without 
law.  To  the  weak  I  became  weak  to  gain  the  weak.  To  all  men 
I  became  all  things  in  order  by  all  means  to  save  some.  I  do  all 
things  for  the  sake  of  the  good  news  that  I  may  become  a 
partner  with  it. 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


289 


Do  you  not  know  that  those  who  run  in  a  stadium  all  run, 
yet  one  gets  the  prize?  Run  so  as  to  win.  Every  one  who 
contends  in  the  games  practices  self-restraint  in  all  things. 
They  do  it  to  win  a  fading  crown,  but  we  for  an  unfading  one. 
Thus  I  run  with  no  uncertain  goal:  thus  I  strike,  not  as  if 
pounding  the  air.  On  the  contrary,  I  maul  and  master  my 
body  so  that  I  may  not,  after  preaching  to  others,  become 
myself  unable  to  stand  the  test. 

X 

I  do  not  wish  you  to  be  ignorant,  brethren,  that  our  fathers 
were  all  under  the  cloud  and  all  passed  through  the  sea  and  all 
received  baptism  in  the  cloud  and  in  the  sea,  and  all  ate  the 
same  spiritual  food  and  all  drank  the  same  spiritual  drink. 
For  they  drank  from  a  spiritual  rock  that  followed  them,  and 
the  rock  was  Christ.  But  with  the  most  of  them  God  was  not 
well  pleased.  For  they  were  strewn  in  the  desert.  These  things 
happened  as  warnings  for  us,  that  we  may  not  be  eager  for  evil 
things  as  they  were  eager.  Be  not  idolaters,  as  some  of  them 
were,  as  it  is  written,  “The  people  sat  down  to  eat  and  drink 
and  rose  up  to  dance.”  Nor  let  us  be  unchaste,  as  some  of  them 
were  and  twenty-three  thousand  fell  dead  in  one  day.  Nor  let 
us  try  the  patience  of  the  Lord,  as  some  of  them  tried  him  and 
were  destroyed  by  serpents.  Nor  murmur,  as  some  of  them 
murmured  and  perished  by  the  destroyer.  These  things  hap¬ 
pened  to  those  people  as  warnings  and  they  were  written  for  the 
instruction  of  us  to  whom  the  closing  events  of  the  ages  have 
come.  So  let  him  who  thinks  that  he  is  standing  beware  of 
falling.  No  trial  has  taken  you  but  what  belongs  to  human 
nature.  God  is  faithful  and  he  will  not  let  you  be  tried  beyond 
your  power,  but  will  make,  with  the  trial,  a  way  of  escape  so 
that  you  can  endure  it. 

Therefore,  my  beloved,  shun  idolatry.  I  speak  as  to  thought¬ 
ful  men.  Judge  for  yourselves  what  I  am  saying.  The  cup  of 
blessing  which  we  bless,  is  it  not  a  fellowship  in  the  blood  of 
Christ?  The  bread  which  we  break,  is  it  not  a  fellowship  in  the 
body  of  Christ?  Because  there  is  one  bread  we  though  many 
are  one  body;  for  we  all  partake  of  the  one  bread.  Look  at 


290 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


Israel  according  to  the  flesh;  are  not  those  who  eat  of  the 
sacrifice  partakers  of  the  altar?  What  then  am  I  saying? 
That  meat  sacrificed  to  idols  is  anything  or  that  an  idol  is  any¬ 
thing?  But  I  say  that  what  they  sacrifice  they  sacrifice  to 
demons  and  not  to  God.  And  I  would  not  have  you  become 
partakers  with  demons.  You  cannot  drink  the  cup  of  the 
Lord  and  the  cup  of  demons.  You  cannot  partake  of  the 
table  of  the  Lord  and  the  table  of  demons.  Or  are  we  arousing 
the  jealousy  of  the  Lord?  Are  we  stronger  than  he? 

All  things  are  lawful,  but  not  all  are  beneficial.  All  things 
are  lawful,  but  not  all  build  up  character.  Let  no  one  seek  his 
own  interest,  but  the  interest  of  others.  Everything  that  is 
sold  in  market  eat,  raising  no  questions  of  conscience.  For 
“the  earth  is  the  Lord’s  and  the  fullness  thereof.”  If  any  one 
of  the  unbelievers  invites  you  and  you  wish  to  go,  eat  whatever 
is  set  before  you,  raising  no  questions  of  conscience.  But  if  any 
one  says  to  you,  “This  is  meat  that  has  been  sacrificed,”  do 
not  eat,  for  the  sake  of  him  who  mentioned  it  and  for  con¬ 
science’  sake  —  conscience,  I  say,  not  yours,  but  the  other 
man’s.  For  why  is  my  liberty  judged  by  the  conscience  of 
another?  If  I  partake  with  thanksgiving,  why  am  I  denounced 
for  that  for  which  I  give  thanks? 

Therefore,  if  you  eat  or  if  you  drink  or  whatever  you  do,  do 
all  to  the  glory  of  God.  Cause  no  offense  either  to  Jews  or 
Greeks  or  to  the  church  of  God,  as  I  also  in  all  things  accom¬ 
modate  myself  to  all  men,  not  seeking  my  own  interest  but 
that  of  the  many,  in  order  that  they  may  be  saved. 

XI 

Imitate  me  as  I  imitate  Christ.  I  praise  you  because  you 
remember  me  in  all  things  and  hold  firmly  the  traditions  as  I 
passed  them  on  to  you.  I  wish  you  to  know  that  the  head  of 
every  man  is  Christ,  and  the  head  of  a  woman  is  her  husband, 
and  the  head  of  Christ  is  God.  Every  man  praying  or  prophe¬ 
sying  with  his  head  draped  dishonors  his  head.  But  every 
woman  praying  or  prophesying  bareheaded  dishonors  her 
head.  For  it  is  one  and  the  same  as  if  she  had  her  head  shaved. 
For  if  a  woman  is  not  covered,  then  let  her  cut  off  her  hair. 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


291 


But  if  it  is  a  shame  to  a  woman  to  cut  off  her  hair  or  to  shave, 
let  her  veil  herself.  For  a  man  has  no  need  to  cover  his  head 
since  he  is  the  image  and  glory  of  God.  But  the  woman  is  the 
glory  of  man.  For  man  was  not  from  woman,  but  woman  from 
man,  for  man  was  not  formed  for  woman,  but  woman  for  man. 
Therefore,  the  woman  ought  to  have  a  badge  of  authority  on 
her  head  because  of  the  angels. 

Yet  neither  is  woman  without  man  nor  man  without  woman 
in  the  Lord.  For  as  woman  is  from  man  so  is  man  through 
woman,  but  all  things  from  God.  Decide  for  yourselves:  is  it 
becoming  for  a  woman  to  pray  to  God  unveiled?  Does  not 
Nature  herself  teach  you  that  if  a  man  has  long  hair,  it  is 
a  dishonor  to  him,  but  that  if  a  woman  has  long  hair,  it  is  a 
glory  to  her?  Because  the  hair  is  given  to  her  for  a  covering. 
But  if  any  one  cares  to  be  contentious,  we  have  no  such  cus¬ 
tom,  nor  have  the  churches  of  God. 

In  giving  the  following  directions  I  do  not  praise  you,  be¬ 
cause  you  do  not  assemble  for  the  better,  but  for  the  worse. 
For,  in  the  first  place,  I  hear  that  when  you  assemble  as  a 
church  there  are  parties  among  you,  and  to  some  extent  I 
believe  it.  For  there  must  be  parties  among  you  in  order  that 
it  may  become  plain  who  are  worthy  of  approval.  When,  there¬ 
fore,  you  assemble  it  is  not  possible  to  eat  the  Lord's  supper. 
For  in  eating  each  one  tries  to  get  his  own  supper  first  and  one 
is  hungry  and  another  is  drunken.  Have  you  not  homes  to  eat 
and  drink  in?  Or  do  you  mean  to  show  contempt  for  the 
church  of  God  and  put  to  shame  those  who  have  no  homes? 
What  shall  I  say  to  you?  Shall  I  praise  you?  For  this  I  do  not 
praise  you. 

For  I  received  from  the  Lord  that  which  I  passed  on  to  you 
that  the  Lord  Jesus,  on  the  night  in  which  he  was  betrayed, 
took  bread,  and  when  he  had  given  thanks  he  broke  it  and  said, 
“  This  is  my  body  which  is  broken  for  you.  Do  this  in  memory 
of  me.”  In  like  manner  he  took  also  the  cup  after  supper, 
saying,  “This  cup  is  the  new  covenant  in  my  blood.  Do  this, 
as  often  as  you  drink  it,  in  memory  of  me.”  For  as  often  as  you 
eat  this  bread  and  drink  the  cup  you  proclaim  the  Lord’s 
death,  until  he  comes.  Therefore,  whoever  eats  the  bread  or 


292 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


drinks  the  cup  of  the  Lord  unworthily  will  be  guilty  of  the  body 
and  blood  of  the  Lord.  But  let  a  man  examine  himself  and  so 
let  him  eat  of  the  bread  and  drink  of  the  cup.  For  he  who  eats 
and  drinks  eats  and  drinks  condemnation  to  himself,  if  he  does 
not  honor  the  Lord’s  body.  For  this  reason  many  are  weak 
and  sickly  among  you  and  a  number  are  asleep.  If  we  judged 
ourselves  we  should  not  be  judged.  But  when  we  are  judged  by 
the  Lord,  we  are  disciplined  in  order  that  we  may  not  be  con¬ 
demned  along  with  the  world.  So  then,  my  brethren,  when  you 
assemble  to  eat,  wait  for  one  another.  If  any  one  is  hungry,  let 
him  eat  at  home,  that  your  assembling  may  not  bring  con¬ 
demnation  on  you.  The  other  matters  I  will  arrange  when  I 
come. 

XII 

Concerning  spiritual  things,  brethren,  I  do  not  wish  you  to  be 
ignorant.  For  you  know  that  when  you  were  Gentiles  you  were 
led  away  after  the  dumb  idols  just  as  might  happen.  Therefore 
I  inform  you  that  no  one  speaking  in  the  Spirit  of  God  says, 
“  Jesus  is  accursed,”  and  no  one  can  say,  “  Jesus  is  Lord,” 
except  in  the  Holy  Spirit. 

There  are  varieties  of  gifts,  but  the  same  Spirit.  And  there 
are  varieties  of  service,  but  the  same  Lord.  And  there  are 
varieties  of  products,  but  the  same  God  who  produces  all 
things  in  all.  To  each  one  is  given  some  manifestation  of 
the  Spirit  for  what  is  profitable.  To  one  are  given,  through  the 
Spirit,  words  of  wisdom,  to  another  words  of  knowledge  by 
the  same  Spirit,  to  another  faith  by  the  same  Spirit,  to  an¬ 
other  gifts  of  healing  by  the  same  Spirit,  to  another  works 
of  power,  to  another  prophecy,  to  another  the  discernment  of 
spirits,  to  another  varieties  of  tongues,  to  another  interpre¬ 
tation  of  tongues.  One  and  the  same  Spirit  produces  all  of 
these  gifts,  distributing  to  each  one  individually  as  he  will. 

For  as  the  body  is  one  and  yet  has  many  members,  and  all 
the  members  of  the  body,  though  many,  are  one  body,  so  also 
is  Christ.  For  in  one  Spirit  we  were  all  baptized  into  one  body, 
whether  Jews  or  Greeks,  whether  slaves  or  free,  and  were  all 
made  to  drink  of  one  Spirit.  For  the  body  is  not  one  member, 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


293 


but  many.  If  the  foot  says,  “Because  I  am  not  a  hand  I  am  not 
of  the  body,”  it  is  not  for  that  reason  not  of  the  body.  And  if 
the  ear  says,  “Because  I  am  not  an  eye  I  am  not  of  the  body,” 
it  is  not  for  that  reason  not  of  the  body.  If  the  whole  body 
were  an  eye,  where  would  be  the  hearing?  If  the  whole  were 
hearing,  where  would  be  the  smelling?  But  now  God  has 
placed  the  members  each  one  of  them  in  the  body  as  he 
pleased.  If  all  were  one  member,  where  would  be  the  body? 
But  now  the  members  are  many,  but  the  body  is  one.  And  the 
eye  cannot  say  to  the  hand,  “I  have  no  need  of  you,”  or  the 
head  to  the  feet,  “I  have  no  need  of  you.”  Indeed,  much  more 
those  members  of  the  body  that  seem  to  be  the  weaker  are 
necessary,  and  those  that  we  deem  the  less  honorable  parts  of 
the  body  we  surround  with  greater  honor  and  our  uncomely 
parts  have  additional  dignity,  while  our  comely  parts  have  no 
need.  But  God  has  organized  the  body,  giving  greater  honor  to 
the  part  that  lacks,  that  there  may  be  no  discord  in  the  body, 
but  that  the  members  may  have  a  common  concern  for  one 
another.  And  if  one  member  suffers,  all  the  members  suffer 
with  it;  if  a  member  is  honored,  all  the  members  rejoice  with  it. 

You  are  the  body  of  Christ  and  individually  members.  God 
placed  some  in  the  church  first  as  apostles,  secondly  as  proph¬ 
ets,  thirdly  as  teachers,  then  miracle-workers,  then  those  with 
gifts  of  healing,  helpers,  administrators,  speakers  of  different 
kinds  of  tongues.  Are  all  apostles?  Are  all  prophets?  Are  all 
teachers?  Are  all  miracle-workers?  Do  all  have  gifts  of  heal¬ 
ing?  Do  all  speak  with  tongues?  Do  all  interpret?  Seek  earn¬ 
estly  for  the  greater  gifts;  and  yet  I  will  show  you  a  way  that 
surpasses  all. 


XIII 

If  I  speak  with  the  tongues  of  men  and  of  angels,  but  have  not 
love,  I  have  become  sounding  brass  or  a  clanging  cymbal. 
And  if  I  have  the  power  of  prophecy  and  understand  all  myster¬ 
ies  and  all  knowledge,  and  if  I  have  all  faith,  so  as  to  remove 
mountains,  but  have  not  love,  I  am  nothing.  And  if  I  distribute 
all  that  I  have  to  feed  the  poor,  and  if  I  give  my  body  to 
be  burned,  but  have  not  love,  it  profits  me  nothing.  Love  is 


294 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


long-suffering,  love  is  kind,  is  not  jealous,  love  does  not  boast, 
is  not  conceited,  does  not  behave  unbecomingly,  does  not  seek 
her  own  interest,  is  not  irritable,  does  not  count  up  her  wrongs, 
does  not  rejoice  in  wickedness,  but  rejoices  with  the  truth, 
excuses  all  things,  believes  all  things,  hopes  all  things,  endures 
all  things.  Love  never  fails;  but  if  there  are  prophetic  powers, 
they  will  become  useless;  if  there  are  tongues,  they  will  cease; 
if  there  is  knowledge,  it  will  become  useless.  For  we  know  in 
part  and  we  prophesy  in  part,  but  when  the  perfect  comes 
what  is  in  part  will  become  useless.  When  I  was  a  child,  I 
talked  like  a  child,  I  thought  like  a  child,  I  reasoned  like  a 
child.  Since  I  have  become  a  man,  I  have  no  use  for  childish 
things.  For  as  yet  we  are  looking  at  puzzling  reflections  in  a 
mirror,  but  then  face  to  face.  As  yet  I  know  in  part,  but  then 
I  shall  know  fully,  as  I  have  been  fully  known.  But  now  faith, 
hope,  love  —  these  three  —  endure.  And  the  greatest  of  these 
is  love. 

XIV 

Seek  love  earnestly,  be  eager  for  spiritual  gifts,  but  most  to 
prophesy.  For  he  who  speaks  with  a  tongue  speaks  not  to  men, 
but  to  God.  For  no  one  understands,  and  he  speaks  mysteries 
in  the  Spirit.  But  he  who  prophesies  speaks  to  men  what  will 
build  up,  encourage,  and  comfort.  He  who  speaks  in  a  tongue 
builds  himself  up,  but  he  who  prophesies  builds  up  the  church. 
I  wish  you  all  to  speak  with  tongues,  but  I  wish  more  to  have 
you  prophesy.  He  who  prophesies  is  greater  than  he  who 
speaks  with  tongues,  unless  he  interprets  so  that  the  church 
may  receive  upbuilding.  Now,  brethren,  if  I  come  to  you 
speaking  with  tongues,  what  benefit  will  I  be  to  you  unless  I 
speak  to  you  in  a  revelation  or  in  knowledge  or  in  prophecy  or 
in  teaching.  Inanimate  things  that  give  a  sound,  such  as  the 
flute  or  harp,  —  unless  they  give  a  distinction  in  the  sounds, 
how  will  it  be  known  what  is  being  played  on  flute  or  harp? 
If  the  trumpet  gives  a  dubious  sound,  who  will  prepare  himself 
for  battle?  And  so  you,  if  you  do  not  give  by  the  tongue 
words  easy  to  understand,  how  will  it  be  known  what  is  said? 
For  you  will  be  talking  into  the  air.  There  are,  it  may  be,  so 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


295 


many  kinds  of  languages  in  the  world,  and  none  without 
meaning.  If  then  I  do  not  know  the  meaning  of  the  language, 
I  shall  be  a  barbarian  to  him  who  is  speaking,  and  he  will  be  a 
barbarian  to  me.  And  so  you,  since  you  are  eager  for  spiritual 
gifts,  seek  to  abound  in  what  will  build  up  the  church.  There¬ 
fore  let  him  who  speaks  with  a  tongue  pray  to  interpret.  For 
if  I  pray  in  a  tongue  my  spirit  prays,  but  my  understanding  is 
unfruitful.  What  then?  I  will  pray  with  the  spirit  and  with 
the  understanding.  I  will  sing  with  the  spirit  and  with  the 
understanding.  If  you  thank  God  with  the  spirit,  how  shall 
he  who  fills  the  place  of  the  ordinary  man  say  Amen  to  your 
thanksgiving?  For  he  does  not  know  what  you  are  saying. 
You  give  thanks  excellently,  but  the  other  is  not  helped  by  it. 
I  thank  God  that  I  speak  with  tongues  more  than  any  of  you. 
But  in  church  I  would  rather  speak  five  words  with  my  under¬ 
standing  so  as  to  instruct  others,  than  to  speak  ten  thousand 
words  in  a  tongue. 

Brethren,  be  not  children  in  intelligence,  but  be  babes  in 
wickedness.  In  intelligence  be  adults.  In  the  Law  it  is  written, 
“By  men  of  strange  speech  and  by  the  lips  of  strangers  I  will 
speak  to  this  people,  and  not  even  thus  will  they  listen  to  me, 
says  the  Lord.  ”  So  then  tongues  are  for  a  sign  not  to  believers, 
but  to  unbelievers,  and  prophecy  is  not  for  unbelievers,  but 
for  believers.  If  therefore  the  whole  church  assembles  and  all 
speak  with  tongues  and  ordinary  men  or  unbelievers  come  in, 
will  they  not  say  that  you  are  insane?  But  if  all  prophesy  and 
any  unbeliever  or  ordinary  man  comes  in,  he  is  convinced  by 
all,  he  is  judged  by  all,  the  secrets  of  his  heart  become  manifest, 
and  so  falling  on  his  face  he  worships  God,  declaring  that  God 
is  really  among  you. 

What  then,  brethren?  When  you  assemble  each  one  has  a 
psalm,  has  a  teaching,  has  a  revelation,  has  a  tongue,  has  an 
interpretation.  Let  all  things  be  done  for  the  upbuilding  of 
character.  If  any  one  speaks  with  a  tongue,  let  it  be  two,  or  at 
the  most  three,  at  a  time  and  in  turn  and  let  one  interpret.  If 
there  is  no  interpreter,  let  the  man  keep  silent  in  church  and 
let  him  speak  to  himself  and  to  God.  Of  the  prophets  let  two 
or  three  speak  and  let  the  others  reflect.  If  a  revelation  comes 


296 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


to  another  who  is  sitting  by,  let  the  first  become  silent.  For 
you  can  all  prophesy  one  by  one  so  that  all  may  learn  and  all 
be  encouraged.  The  spirits  of  the  prophets  are  under  the 
control  of  the  prophets.  For  God  is  not  a  God  of  confusion, 
but  of  peace. 

As  in  all  the  churches  of  the  holy,  let  the  women  be  silent  in 
your  assemblies.  For  it  is  not  allowed  to  them  to  speak;  but 
let  them  be  in  subjection  as  also  the  Law  says.  If  they  wish  to 
learn  anything,  let  them  ask  their  own  husbands  at  home. 
For  it  is  disgraceful  for  a  woman  to  speak  in  church.  Did 
the  message  of  God  come  out  from  you  or  did  it  come  to  you 
alone?  If  any  one  thinks  himself  a  prophet  or  spiritual,  let 
him  recognize  that  what  I  am  writing  to  you  is  the  command 
of  the  Lord.  But  if  any  one  does  not  know,  he  is  himself  un¬ 
known. 

So  then,  my  brethren,  seek  earnestly  to  prophesy  and  do  not 
hinder  speaking  with  tongues.  Let  all  things  be  done  becom¬ 
ingly  and  in  order. 

XV 

Let  me  recall  to  your  minds,  brethren,  the  good  news  which  I 
announced  to  you  and  which  you  accepted,  in  which  also  you 
stand,  through  which  also  you  are  being  saved,  if  you  hold  fast 
the  message  that  I  announced  to  you,  unless  your  faith  was 
thoughtless. 

For  among  the  first  things  I  passed  on  to  you  what  I  had 
received,  that  Christ  died  for  our  sins  according  to  the  Scrip¬ 
tures,  and  that  he  was  buried,  and  that  he  was  raised  on  the 
third  day,  according  to  the  Scriptures,  and  that  he  was  seen  by 
Cephas,  then  by  the  twelve,  then  he  was  seen  by  more  than 
five  hundred  brethren  at  once,  of  whom  the  most  are  still 
living,  but  some  have  fallen  asleep,  then  he  appeared  to  James, 
then  to  all  the  apostles.  Last  of  all,  as  if  to  one  untimely  born, 
he  appeared  also  to  me.  For  I  am  the  least  of  the  apostles  and 
am  not  fit  to  be  called  an  apostle,  because  I  persecuted  the 
church  of  God.  But  by  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am,  and 
his  grace  toward  me  was  not  without  result,  but  I  labored 
more  abundantly  than  all  of  them,  yet  not  I,  but  the  grace  of 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS  297 

God  that  was  with  me.  Whether  then  it  was  I  or  they,  so  we 
proclaim  and  so  you  believed. 

But  if  Christ  is  proclaimed  —  that  he  has  been  raised  from 
the  dead  —  how  do  some  among  you  say  that  there  is  no  resur¬ 
rection  of  the  dead?  If  there  is  no  resurrection  of  the  dead, 
then  neither  has  Christ  been  raised.  If  Christ  has  not  been 
raised,  then  our  proclamation  is  an  empty  thing  and  your 
faith  is  an  empty  thing.  And  we  are  found  false  witnesses  of 
God  because  we  testified  regarding  God  that  he  raised  up 
Christ,  whom  he  did  not  raise  if  the  dead  are  not  raised.  For 
if  the  dead  are  not  raised,  neither  has  Christ  been  raised.  And 
if  Christ  has  not  been  raised,  your  faith  is  futile,  you  are  still 
in  your  sins.  Then  also  those  who  have  fallen  asleep  in  Christ 
have  perished.  If  in  this  life  only  we  have  hope  in  Christ,  we 
are  of  all  men  most  pitiable. 

But  now  Christ  has  been  raised  from  the  dead,  the  first-fruit 
of  those  who  have  fallen  asleep.  For  since  by  a  man  came 
death,  by  a  man  also  came  resurrection  of  the  dead.  For  as  in 
Adam  all  die,  so  also  in  Christ  all  will  be  made  alive.  But  each 
in  his  own  order.  The  first-fruit  is  Christ,  then  those  who  are 
Christ’s,  at  his  coming.  Then  will  be  the  end  when  he  delivers 
up  the  kingship  to  God  his  Father,  when  he  has  defeated 
every  archangel  and  authority  and  power.  For  he  must  be 
king  until  he  “puts  all  his  enemies  under  his  feet.”  The  last 
enemy  to  be  defeated  will  be  death.  For  “he  subjected  all 
things  under  his  feet.”  But  when  it  says,  “all  things  have 
been  subjected,”  it  is  plain  that  it  means  all  things  except  God 
who  subjected  all  things  to  him.  But  when  all  things  have 
been  subjected  to  him,  then  the  Son  himself  will  be  subjected 
to  him  who  subjected  all  things  to  him,  that  God  may  be  all 
in  all. 

Then  what  shall  they  do  who  are  baptized  for  the  dead?  If 
the  dead  do  not  rise  at  all,  why  are  they  then  baptized  for  them? 
And  why  do  we  run  risks  every  hour?  I  die  every  day,  I  swear 
it  by  the  boast  I  make  of  you  and  which  I  have  in  Christ  Jesus 
our  Lord.  If,  humanly  speaking,  I  fought  wild  beasts  at 
Ephesus,  what  is  my  gain?  If  the  dead  do  not  rise,  “let  us  eat 
and  drink,  for  to-morrow  we  die.”  Do  not  be  led  astray; 


298 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


“bad  associations  corrupt  good  morals.”  Return  to  soberness 
and  cease  to  sin,  for  some  are  ignorant  of  God.  I  say  it  to  your 
shame. 

But  some  one  will  say,  How  are  the  dead  raised,  and  with 
what  sort  of  bodies  do  they  come?  Thoughtless  man!  What 
you  yourself  sow  does  not  come  to  life  unless  it  dies.  And  what 
you  sow  is  not  the  body  that  will  come,  but  a  mere  grain, 
perhaps  of  wheat  or  of  something  else.  But  God  gives  it  a  body 
as  he  has  pleased,  and  to  each  kind  of  seed  a  body  of  its  own. 
All  flesh  is  not  the  same  flesh,  but  there  is  one  kind  of  flesh  of 
men,  another  flesh  of  beasts,  another  flesh  of  birds,  and  another 
flesh  of  fishes.  There  are  bodies  celestial  and  bodies  terrestrial. 
But  the  glory  of  the  celestial  is  of  one  kind  and  the  glory  of  the 
terrestrial  is  of  another.  There  is  one  glory  of  the  sun  and 
another  glory  of  the  moon  and  another  glory  of  the  stars.  For 
star  differs  from  star  in  glory. 

So  also  will  be  the  resurrection  of  the  dead.  It  is  sown  in 
decay;  it  is  raised  imperishable.  It  is  sown  in  dishonor;  it  is 
raised  in  glory.  It  is  sown  in  weakness;  it  is  raised  in  power. 
It  is  sown  an  animal  body;  it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body.  If 
there  is  an  animal  body  there  is  also  a  spiritual  body.  Just  as  it 
is  written,  “The  first  man  Adam  became  a  living  animal,”  the 
last  Adam  became  a  lifegiving  spirit.  But  the  spiritual  is  not 
first,  but  the  animal,  then  the  spiritual.  The  first  man  was 
from  the  earth,  earthly;  the  second  man  is  the  Lord  from 
heaven.  As  is  the  earthly  man  such  are  also  those  who  are 
earthly,  and  as  is  the  heavenly  man  such  are  also  those  who  are 
heavenly.  And  as  we  have  borne  the  image  of  the  earthly  man, 
we  shall  bear  the  image  of  the  heavenly  man. 

But  I  say  this,  brethren,  flesh  and  blood  cannot  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  God,  nor  will  decay  inherit  imperishability.  I  am 
telling  you  a  mystery.  We  shall  not  all  fall  asleep,  but  we 
shall  all  be  transformed,  in  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye,  at  the  last  trumpet-call.  For  the  trumpet  will  sound  and 
the  dead  will  be  raised  imperishable,  and  we  shall  be  trans¬ 
formed.  For  this  perishable  must  clothe  itself  with  imperish¬ 
ability,  and  this  mortal  must  clothe  itself  with  immortality. 
When  this  perishable  has  clothed  itself  with  imperishability 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS  299 

and  this  mortal  has  clothed  itself  with  immortality,  then  will 
come  to  pass  the  word  that  is  written,  “  Death  has  been  swal¬ 
lowed  up  in  victory.  0  Death,  where  is  thy  victory?  0  Death, 
where  is  thy  sting?  ”  The  sting  of  death  is  sin,  and  the  power  of 
sin  is  the  Law.  But  thanks  be  to  God  who  gives  us  the  victory 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ! 

So  then,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  firm,  immovable,  always 
abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord;  since  you  know  that  your 
labor  is  not  fruitless  in  the  Lord. 

XVI 

Regarding  the  collection  for  the  holy,  as  I  arranged  for  the 
churches  of  Galatia,  you  must  do  the  same.  On  the  first  day  of 
the  week  let  each  of  you  lay  up  at  home  something  according 
as  he  may  be  prospering,  in  order  that  no  collections  may  be 
going  on  when  I  come.  When  I  come,  whatever  persons  you 
may  approve,  I  will  send  with  letters  to  carry  your  gracious 
gift  to  Jerusalem.  And  if  it  seems  best  for  me  to  go,  they  shall 
go  with  me.  I  shall  come  to  you  after  I  pass  through  Mace¬ 
donia.  For  I  shall  pass  through  Macedonia  and  perhaps  I  shall 
make  some  stay  with  you  or  pass  the  winter  with  you,  so  that 
you  may  send  me  forward  wherever  I  may  be  going.  I  do  not 
wish  to  see  you  now  merely  in  passing,  for  I  hope  to  spend  some 
time  with  you,  if  the  Lord  permits.  I  shall  remain  in  Ephesus 
until  Pentecost,  for  a  great  and  effective  door  has  been  opened 
to  me,  and  there  are  many  opponents. 

If  Timothy  comes,  see  to  it  that  he  becomes  free  from  fear  in 
his  relations  to  you.  For  he  is  doing  the  Lord’s  work,  just  as  I 
am.  So  let  no  one  think  him  of  no  account.  Send  him  forward 
in  peace  on  his  journey  to  me,  for  I  am  expecting  him  with  the 
brethren. 

As  to  Apollos  our  brother,  I  urged  him  strongly  to  go  to  you 
with  the  brethren.  But  it  was  not  at  all  his  will  to  go  now,  but 
he  will  come  when  it  is  convenient. 

Watch,  stand  firmly  in  the  faith,  be  manly,  be  strong,  let  all 
that  you  do  be  done  in  love. 

I  beg  you,  brethren  —  you  know  the  household  of  Stephanas, 
that  it  is  the  first-fruit  of  Achaia  and  they  have  devoted  them- 


300 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


selves  to  serving  the  holy  —  I  beg  you  to  show  deference  to 
such  and  to  every  fellow  worker  and  laborer. 

I  rejoice  in  the  arrival  of  Stephanas  and  Fortunatus  and 
Achaicus,  because  they  made  up  for  my  lack  of  you.  For  they 
refreshed  my  spirit  and  yours.  Appreciate  such  men. 

The  churches  of  Asia  send  you  their  greetings.  Aquila  and 
Prisca  with  the  church  in  their  house  greet  you  heartily  in  the 
Lord.  All  the  brethren  send  greetings  to  vou.  Greet  one 
another  with  a  holy  kiss. 

Here  is  the  greeting  of  me,  Paul,  by  my  own  hand.  If  any  one 
does  not  love  the  Lord,  let  him  be  accursed!  Maran  atha!  1 
The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  you.  My  love  to  all  of 
you  in  Christ  Jesus. 

1  An  Aramaic  phrase  which  may  mean  “Our  Lord  has  come,”  or,  possibly, 
“Lord,  come.” 


PAUL’S  SECOND  LETTER  TO  THE 
CORINTHIANS 


i 

Paul,  an  apostle  of  Christ  Jesus  by  the  will  of  God,  and 
Timothy  the  brother,  to  the  church  of  God  that  is  in  Corinth 
with  all  the  holy  that  are  in  all  Achaia: 

Grace  to  you  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ! 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Father  of  loving  kindness  and  the  God  of  all  encouragement, 
who  encourages  us  in  every  distress  so  that  we  may  be  able  to 
encourage  those  who  are  in  every  distress  by  the  encourage¬ 
ment  by  which  we  ourselves  have  been  encouraged  by  God. 
Because  as  the  sufferings  of  Christ  are  abundant  in  our  case,  so 
through  Christ  our  encouragement  is  abundant.  But  if  we  are 
in  distress,  it  is  for  your  encouragement  and  salvation.  If  we 
are  encouraged,  it  is  for  your  encouragement  which  is  effective 
in  the  endurance  of  the  same  sufferings  that  we  suffer.  Our 
hope  is  strong  regarding  you,  since  we  know  that  as  you  are 
partakers  of  the  sufferings  so  you  are  of  the  encouragement. 

For  we  do  not  wish  you  to  be  ignorant,  brethren,  regarding 
the  distress  that  came  on  us  in  Asia  —  that  we  were  exceedingly 
weighed  down,  beyond  our  strength,  so  that  we  despaired 
even  of  life.  Indeed  we  ha,ve  the  sentence  of  death  within  our¬ 
selves,  that  our  trust  may  not  rest  on  ourselves,  but  on  God 
who  raises  the  dead.  He  delivered  us  from  such  a  death  and 
will  deliver,  and  we  have  hope  in  him  that  he  will  go  on  deliver¬ 
ing,  while  you  help  by  your  prayers  for  us,  so  that  from  many 
persons  thanksgiving  may  arise  for  the  gift  granted  to  us 
through  the  prayers  of  many  for  us. 

For  this  is  what  we  boast  of,  the  witness  of  our  conscience 
that  in  holiness,  and  sincerity  before  God,  not  in  fleshly 
wisdom,  but  in  the  grace  of  God,  we  have  lived  in  the  world 


302 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


and  especially  toward  you.  For  we  are  not  writing  to  you  any¬ 
thing  but  what  you  read  and  acknowledge  and  I  hope  you  will 
acknowledge  to  the  end,  as  you  have  partly  acknowledged  it 
about  us,  that  we  are  your  ground  of  boasting  and  you  are  ours 
on  the  day  of  our  Lord  Jesus. 

With  this  confidence  I  intended  to  come  to  you  first,  so  that 
you  might  have  a  second  favor,  by  my  visiting  you  on  the  way 
to  Macedonia  and  again  coming  back  from  Macedonia  to  you 
and  being  sped  by  you  on  my  way  toward  Judaea.  When  I  was 
intending  this,  did  I  show  fickleness?  Or  do  I  plan  what  I  plan 
according  to  the  flesh,  so  that  I  may  say  yes,  yes,  and  no,  no? 
As  God  is  faithful,  my  word  to  you  is  not  yes  and  no.  For  the 
Son  of  God,  Christ  Jesus,  who  was  proclaimed  among  you  by 
us  —  myself  and  Silvanus  and  Timothy — was  not  yes  and  no, 
but  in  him  was  yes.  For  all  the  promises  of  God,  however 
many,  have  their  yes  in  him.  Therefore  also  through  him  is 
the  Amen  to  the  glory  of  God  through  us.  It  is  God  who  makes 
us  and  you  steadfast  to  Christ,  and  has  anointed  us  and  sealed 
us  and  has  given  the  pledge  of  the  Spirit  in  our  hearts. 

I  call  God  as  a  witness  against  my  soul  that  in  order  to  spare 
you  I  have  not  yet  come  to  Corinth.  Not  that  we  are  lords  over 
your  faith,  but  fellow  workers  sharing  your  joy,  for  you  are 
standing  firm  in  the  faith. 


II 

But  I  decided  this  in  my  own  mind,  not  to  come  again  to  you 
in  sorrow.  For  if  I  grieve  you,  who  is  there  to  cheer  me  except 
those  who  are  grieved  by  me?  I  am  writing  this  very  thing  so 
that  I  may  not  come  and  have  grief  from  those  who  ought  to 
make  me  glad,  for  I  am  confident  in  regard  to  all  of  you  that 
my  joy  is  yours.  For  out  of  great  distress  and  pain  of  heart  I 
am  writing  with  many  tears,  not  that  you  may  be  grieved,  but 
that  you  may  know  the  love  that  I  have  beyond  measure  for 
you. 

But  if  any  one  has  caused  grief,  he  has  grieved  not  me,  but  to 
some  extent  —  not  to  be  too  severe  —  all  of  you.  Sufficient 
for  such  a  one  is  this  punishment  by  the  majority,  so  that  on 
the  contrary  you  should  rather  forgive  him  and  encourage  him, 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


303 


that  such  a  one  may  not  be  swallowed  up  in  excessive  grief. 
Therefore  I  beg  you  to  assure  him  of  your  love.  Because  for 
this  purpose  I  am  writing,  that  I  may  know  your  tested  char¬ 
acter,  whether  you  are  obedient  in  everything.  To  whomever 
you  forgive  anything  I  also  forgive  it,  and  what  I  have  forgiven, 
if  I  have  forgiven  anything,  it  was  for  your  sake  in  the  sight  of 
Christ,  that  Satan  may  not  take  advantage  of  us,  for  we  are  not 
ignorant  of  his  purposes. 

When  I  came  to  Troas  for  the  good  news  of  Christ  and  a  door 
had  been  opened  for  me  in  the  Lord,  I  had  no  rest  in  my  spirit 
because  I  did  not  find  Titus  my  brother,  but  bidding  them 
farewell  I  came  away  to  Macedonia.  Thanks  be  to  God  who 
always  leads  us  in  his  triumph  in  Christ  and  spreads  through  us 
the  sweet  odor  of  the  knowledge  of  him  in  every  place.  For 
we  are  for  God  a  sweet  odor  of  Christ  —  in  the  saved  and  in  the 
perishing.  To  the  latter  an  odor  from  death  to  death,  to  the 
former  an  odor  from  life  to  life.  And  who  is  competent  for 
this?  For  we  are  not,  like  the  most,  adulterating  the  message  of 
God  for  gain,  but  in  sincerity,  as  from  God,  in  the  presence 
of  God,  we  speak  in  Christ. 

Ill 

Are  we  beginning  again  to  recommend  ourselves?  Do  we  need, 
as  some  do,  letters  of  recommendation  to  you  or  from  you? 
You  are  our  letter,  written  in  our  hearts,  known  and  read  by 
all  men,  evidently  a  letter  of  Christ  delivered  by  us,  written 
not  with  ink,  but  with  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God,  not  on  stone 
tablets,  but  on  tablets  that  are  hearts  of  flesh. 

We  have  such  confidence  through  Christ  toward  God.  Not 
that  of  ourselves  we  are  fit  to  reason  out  anything  as  from  our¬ 
selves,  but  our  fitness  is  from  God,  who  has  fitted  us  to  be 
servants  of  a  new  covenant,  not  of  the  letter,  but  of  the  spirit. 
For  the  letter  kills,  but  the  spirit  gives  life. 

If  the  service  that  brought  death,  engraved  in  letters  on 
stones,  came  in  glory,  so  that  the  children  of  Israel  could  not 
look  steadily  at  the  face  of  Moses  because  of  the  glory  of  his 
face  —  that  fading  glory  —  how  much  more  glorious  will  not  the 
service  of  the  Spirit  be?  For  if  the  service  that  brought  con- 


304 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


demnation  was  glory,  much  more  will  the  service  that  brings 
righteousness  surpass  in  glory.  For  what  was  made  so  glorious 
is  in  a  way  no  longer  glorious  compared  with  the  glory  that 
surpasses  it.  For  if  what  was  to  be  ended  came  in  glory,  much 
more  glorious  must  be  that  which  is  enduring. 

With  such  a  hope  then  we  speak  with  great  frankness,  and 
are  not  like  Moses,  who  used  to  put  a  veil  over  his  face  so  that 
the  children  of  Israel  might  not  see  when  the  vanishing  glory 
ended;  but  their  thinking  was  dulled.  For  to  this  day  the 
same  veil  remains  unlifted  when  the  old  covenant  is  read;  be¬ 
cause  it  is  done  away  only  in  Christ.  To  this  day  when 
Moses  is  read  the  veil  lies  on  their  hearts;  “but  when  they 
turn  to  the  Lord  the  veil  is  taken  away.”  The  Lord  is  the 
Spirit,  and  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  there  is  liberty.  And 
we  all,  with  unveiled  face,  reflecting  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are 
changed  into  the  same  likeness  from  glory  to  glory  as  by  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

IV 

Therefore,  having  this  service  through  God’s  mercy,  we  are 
not  downhearted,  but  we  have  renounced  shameful  secret 
things,  not  living  in  craftiness  nor  adulterating  God’s  message, 
but  by  the  openness  of  truth  commending  ourselves  to  every 
man’s  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God.  If  our  good  news  is 
veiled,  it  is  veiled  to  those  who  are  going  to  ruin,  in  whom  the 
god  of  this  world  has  blinded  the  thinking  of  the  unbelieving  so 
that  the  light  of  the  glorious  good  news  of  Christ,  who  is  the 
image  of  God,  may  not  shine  in.  For  we  are  not  proclaiming 
ourselves  but  Christ  Jesus  as  Lord,  and  ourselves  as  your  serv¬ 
ants  for  Jesus’  sake.  Because  it  is  the  God  who  said,  “Light 
shall  shine  out  of  darkness,”  who  has  shone  in  our  hearts  bring¬ 
ing  the  light  of  the  glorious  knowledge  of  God  in  the  face  of 
Christ. 

But  we  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  jars,  that  the  surpassing 
power  may  be  God’s  and  not  ours  —  in  every  way  distressed, 
but  not  reduced  to  straits,  perplexed,  but  not  in  despair, 
persecuted,  but  not  forsaken,  cast  down,  but  not  destroyed, 
always  bearing  about  in  our  bodies  the  death  of  Jesus  that  the 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


305 


life  also  of  Jesus  may  be  manifest  in  our  bodies.  For  we,  though 
living,  are  always  delivered  up  to  death  for  Jesus’  sake,  that 
also  the  life  of  Jesus  may  be  manifested  in  our  mortal  flesh. 
So  death  works  in  us,  but  life  in  you.  Having  the  same  spirit 
of  faith,  as  it  is  written,  “I  believed,  therefore  I  spoke,”  we 
too  believe  and  therefore  speak,  knowing  that  he  who  raised 
up  Jesus  will  also  raise  us  up  with  Jesus  and  place  us  in  his 
presence  with  you.  For  all  things  are  for  your  sake,  that  grace 
abounding  through  many  may  overflow  in  thanksgiving  to  the 
glory  of  God. 

Therefore  we  are  not  downhearted,  but  even  if  our  outward 
man  is  wasting  away,  yet  our  inward  man  is  renewed  day  by 
day.  For  our  momentary  and  light  distress  is  working  out  for 
us  a  far  surpassing  and  eternal  weight  of  glory  while  we  con¬ 
template  not  the  things  that  are  seen,  but  the  things  unseen. 
For  the  things  that  are  seen  are  transient,  but  the  things  un¬ 
seen  are  eternal. 

Y 

For  we  know  that  if  this  tent,  our  earthly  home,  is  thrown 
down,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  a  home  not  made  by  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens.  For  in  this  we  sigh  in  earnest  desire  to 
put  on  our  dwelling  that  comes  from  heaven,  since  if  we  put 
that  on  we  shall  not  be  found  naked.  For  while  we  are  in  this 
tent  we  sigh  being  burdened,  not  that  we  wish  to  be  unclothed, 
but  to  put  on  the  other,  that  what  is  mortal  may  be  swallowed 
up  in  life.  He  who  has  prepared  us  for  this  very  thing  is  God, 
and  he  has  given  to  us  the  pledge  of  the  Spirit. 

So  being  always  of  good  courage  and  knowing  that  while 
living  at  home  in  the  body  we  are  living  in  a  foreign  land  away 
from  the  Lord  —  for  we  walk  by  faith,  not  by  sight  —  I  say  we 
are  of  good  courage  and  wish  rather  to  live  in  the  land  foreign 
to  the  body  and  be  at  home  with  the  Lord.  Therefore  also  we 
are  ambitious  to  be  pleasing  to  him,  whether  at  home  with  him 
or  in  this  foreign  land.  For  we  must  all  appear  as  we  truly  are 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  that  each  may  receive  the 
award  for  what  he  has  done  with  his  body,  according  to  his 
actions,  whether  good  or  bad. 


306 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


Knowing,  therefore,  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  we  are  persuading 
men.  What  we  are  is  plain  to  God,  and  I  hope  that  it  is  also 
plain  to  your  consciences.  We  are  not  recommending  ourselves 
again  to  you,  but  giving  occasion  to  you  for  boasting  on  our 
behalf,  that  you  may  have  it  to  use  against  those  who  boast  of 
appearances  and  not  of  heart.  For  if  we  were  out  of  our  minds 
it  was  for  God,  and  if  we  are  sane  it  is  for  you.  For  the  love  of 
Christ  impels  us,  convinced  of  this,  that  if  one  died  for  all,  then 
all  died,  and  he  died  for  all  that  the  living  may  no  longer  live  for 
themselves,  but  for  him  who  died  for  them  and  was  raised 
again. 

So  we,  from  now  on,  know  no  man  according  to  the  flesh. 
Even  if  we  have  known  Christ  according  to  the  flesh,  yet  now 
we  know  him  so  no  more.  So  if  any  one  is  in  Christ  he  is  a  new 
creature.  The  old  things  have  passed  away,  they  have  become 
new.  And  all  things  are  from  God,  who  has  reconciled  us  to 
himself  through  Christ  and  given  to  us  the  service  of  reconcilia¬ 
tion  —  to  proclaim  that  God  was  in  Christ  reconciling  the 
world  to  himself,  not  counting  against  men  their  sins,  and  that 
he  has  committed  to  us  the  message  of  reconciliation.  So  we 
are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  if  God  were  appealing  to  you 
through  us.  We  pray  you  on  Christ’s  behalf  to  be  reconciled  to 
God.  Him  who  knew  no  sin  God  made  sin  for  our  sake  that  we 
might  become  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him. 

VI 

As  God’s  fellow  workers  we  also  beg  you  not  to  receive  his 
grace  fruitlessly.  For  he  says,  “At  a  favorable  time  I  heard  you 
and  on  a  day  of  salvation  I  helped  you.”  Now  is  a  particularly 
favorable  time,  now  is  a  day  of  salvation.  We  give  no  occasion 
for  stumbling  to  any  one  that  our  service  may  not  be  blamed, 
but  in  everything  we  commend  ourselves  as  God’s  servants 
in  great  patience,  in  distresses,  in  necessities,  in  hardships,  in 
floggings,  in  prisons,  in  riots,  in  toils,  in  sleepless  nights,  in 
fastings;  with  purity,  with  knowledge,  with  long-suffering,  with 
kindness,  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  with  sincere  love,  with  the 
message  of  truth,  with  the  power  of  God;  by  the  weapons  of 
righteousness  in  the  right  hand  and  the  left,  by  honor  and 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


307 


shame,  by  slander  and  praise;  as  deceivers  yet  true,  as  un¬ 
known  yet  well  known,  as  dying  and  yet  we  are  living,  as 
chastised  yet  not  put  to  death,  as  sorrowful  yet  always  re¬ 
joicing,  as  poor  yet  making  many  rich,  as  having  nothing  yet 
owning  all  things. 

Our  mouth  is  open  to  you,  Corinthians,  our  heart  expands 
itself.  You  find  no  narrowness  in  us,  the  narrowness  is  in  your 
own  sympathies.  As  a  fair  return,  I  am  speaking  as  to  my  chil¬ 
dren,  let  your  hearts  expand. 

Do  not  be  yoked  up,  like  unmatched  animals,  with  unbe¬ 
lievers.  For  what  partnership  have  righteousness  and  lawless¬ 
ness,  or  what  fellowship  has  light  with  darkness,  or  what  har¬ 
mony  has  Christ  with  Belial,  or  what  share  has  a  believer  with 
an  unbeliever?  What  agreement  has  the  Temple  of  God  with 
idols?  For  we  are  the  Temple  of  the  living  God,  as  God  said, 
“  I  will  dwell  in  them  and  walk  among  them,  and  I  will  be  their 
God  and  they  shall  be  my  people.  Therefore  come  out  from  the 
midst  of  them  and  be  separate,  says  the  Lord,  and  do  not  touch 
an  unclean  thing,  and  I  will  receive  you  and  will  be  a  Father  to 
you  and  you  shall  be  sons  and  daughters  to  me,  says  the  Lord, 
the  Ruler  of  all.” 


VII 

Having  then  these  promises,  beloved,  let  us  purify  ourselves 
from  every  defilement  of  flesh  or  spirit,  in  reverence  for  God 
making  our  holiness  complete. 

Make  room  for  us  in  your  hearts.  We  have  wronged  no  one; 
we  have  injured  no  one;  we  have  taken  advantage  of  no  one. 
I  am  not  saying  this  to  condemn  you,  for  I  have  already  said 
that  you  have  such  a  place  in  our  hearts  that  we  are  ready  to 
die  with  you  or  to  live  with  you.  Great  is  my  frankness  in 
speaking  to  you;  great  is  my  boasting  of  you;  I  am  filled  with 
encouragement,  running  over  with  joy  at  every  distress  of  ours. 
For  since  we  came  to  Macedonia  our  flesh  has  had  no  rest,  but 
we  have  been  distressed  in  every  way,  conflicts  without,  fears 
within.  But  God,  who  encourages  the  depressed,  encouraged  us 
by  the  coming  of  Titus,  and  not  by  his  coming  only,  but  also 
by  the  encouragement  by  which  he  was  encouraged  about  you. 


308 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


He  told  us  of  your  longing  for  me,  your  lamentation,  your  zeal 
in  my  behalf,  so  that  I  rejoice  the  more.  For  if  I  grieved  you 
in  my  letter  I  do  not  regret  it,  though  I  did  regret  it,  seeing  that 
that  letter  grieved  you  even  for  a  time,  but  I  am  glad  now,  not 
that  you  were  grieved,  but  that  your  grief  led  to  a  change  of 
heart.  You  were  grieved  as  God  approves  so  that  you  should 
in  nothing  suffer  loss  from  us.  For  such  grief  as  God  approves 
works  a  change  of  heart  leading  to  salvation  and  is  never  to  be 
regretted.  But  the  grief  of  the  world  results  in  death.  Notice 
this  very  grieving  as  God  approves,  how  great  earnestness  re¬ 
sulted  from  it  in  your  case,  what  effort  to  defend  yourselves, 
what  indignation,  what  fear,  what  longing,  what  zeal,  what 
just  punishment!  In  everything  you  showed  yourselves 
blameless  in  the  matter.  So  although  I  wrote  to  you,  I  did  it 
not  for  the  sake  of  him  who  did  the  wrong,  nor  for  the  sake  of 
him  who  suffered  wrong,  but  that  your  earnestness  for  us  might 
be  made  plain  to  you  before  God.  On  this  account  we  have 
been  encouraged. 

In  addition  to  this  encouragement  of  ours,  we  rejoiced  very 
much  more  over  the  joy  of  Titus  because  his  spirit  has  been 
refreshed  by  you  all,  for  if  I  have  made  any  boast  regarding 
you  I  have  not  been  put  to  shame,  but  as  we  spoke  everything  in 
truth  to  you  so  our  boasting  over  Titus  turned  out  the  truth. 
And  his  affections  go  out  more  strongly  to  you  when  he  re¬ 
members  the  obedience  of  you  all,  how  with  reverence  and 
trembling  you  received  him.  I  am  glad  to  be  in  every  respect 
of  good  courage  regarding  you. 

VIII 

I  must  tell  you,  brethren,  of  the  grace  of  God  that  has  been 
given  to  the  churches  of  Macedonia,  that  in  a  great  trial  of 
distress  their  abundant  joy  and  their  deep  poverty  have 
abounded  in  the  wealth  of  their  liberality.  For  according  to 
their  ability,  I  bear  witness,  and  beyond  their  ability,  of  their 
own  accord,  with  great  urgency  they  begged  of  us  the  favor  of 
fellowship  in  the  service  for  the  holy,  and  this  not  as  we  had 
hoped,  but  first  they  gave  themselves  to  the  Lord  and  to  us 
through  the  will  of  God.  Therefore  we  encouraged  Titus  that 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


309 


as  he  had  begun  so  he  should  complete  this  grace  among  you. 
But  as  you  excel  in  every  way,  in  faith  and  speech  and  knowl¬ 
edge  and  in  all  earnestness  and  in  the  love  you  learned  from 
us,  be  sure  to  excel  in  this  grace  also.  I  speak  not  by  way  of 
command,  but  testing  the  genuineness  of  your  love  by  the 
earnestness  of  others.  For  you  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that  though  he  was  rich  yet  for  your  sake  he  became 
poor,  that  you  by  his  poverty  might  become  rich.  In  this  I  give 
my  opinion,  for  this  is  advantageous  for  you,  since  a  year  ago 
you  were  first  to  begin  not  only  the  doing  but  the  wanting  to 
do  anything.  But  now  complete  the  doing,  that  as  there  was  a 
readiness  in  willing  so  there  may  be  a  completion  according  to 
your  means.  For  if  there  is  first  the  readiness,  a  gift  is  acceptable 
according  to  what  a  man  has,  not  according  to  what  he  has  not. 
I  do  not  mean  that  others  shall  have  relief  and  you  shall  have 
trouble,  but  by  equality  at  the  present  time  your  abundance 
may  supply  their  need  so  that  their  abundance  may  come  at 
your  need  —  that  there  may  be  equality,  as  it  is  written,  “He 
who  gathered  much  had  nothing  over  and  he  who  gathered  little 
had  no  lack.” 

Thanks  be  to  God  who  puts  into  the  heart  of  Titus  the  same 
interest  in  you.  For  he  welcomed  our  appeal,  but  being  unusu¬ 
ally  interested  comes  to  you  of  his  own  choice.  With  him  we 
are  sending  the  brother  whose  praise  for  service  to  the  good 
news  has  spread  through  all  the  churches,  and  not  only  that, 
but  he  was  appointed  by  the  churches  as  our  fellow  traveler  in 
this  gracious  errand  carried  out  by  us  to  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
himself  and  by  our  own  eager  desire.  We  are  taking  care  that 
no  one  shall  blame  us  for  our  administration  of  this  bountiful 
fund,  for  we  are  providing  arrangements  honorable,  not  only 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  but  also  in  the  sight  of  men.  We 
are  sending  along  with  them  also  our  brother  whose  earn¬ 
estness  we  have  tested  many  times  in  many  ways,  and  who 
is  now  especially  earnest  because  of  his  great  confidence  in 

you. 

If  any  one  asks  about  Titus,  he  is  my  intimate  friend  and 
fellow  worker  for  you.  If  it  is  our  brethren,  they  are  the  mes¬ 
sengers  of  the  churches,  the  glory  of  Christ.  Show  them  in  the 


310 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


sight  of  the  churches  your  love  and  the  ground  of  our  boasting 
to  them  about  you. 

IX 

Regarding  the  service  to  the  holy,  it  is  superfluous  for  me  to 
write  to  you.  For  I  know  your  readiness  and  I  am  boasting 
about  you  to  the  Macedonians,  that  Achaia  was  ready  a  year 
ago,  and  your  zeal  has  stimulated  the  most  of  them.  I  am 
sending  the  brethren  that  our  boasting  about  you  may  not  be 
proved  in  this  matter  an  empty  boast,  so  that  you  may  be  ready 
as  I  have  said,  and  if  any  Macedonians  come  with  me  and 
find  you  unprepared,  we,  not  to  say  you,  may  not  be  made 
ashamed  of  this  confidence.  So  I  think  it  necessary  to  urge 
the  brethren  to  go  on  in  advance  to  you  and  prepare  before¬ 
hand  your  promised  gift,  that  it  may  be  ready  as  a  gift  and 
not  as  if  extorted. 

Remember  this,  he  who  sows  sparingly  will  reap  sparingly 
and  he  who  sows  bountifully  will  reap  bountifully.  Let  each 
give  as  he  has  purposed  in  his  heart,  not  grudgingly  nor  of 
necessity,  for  God  loves  a  cheerful  giver.  God  is  able  to  make 
every  blessing  abound  for  you  so  that  having  in  everything 
always  all  that  you  need,  you  may  abound  in  every  good  work, 
as  it  is  written,  “He  scattered,  he  gave  to  the  poor,  his  right¬ 
eousness  endures  forever.”  He  who  supplies  seed  to  the  sower 
and  bread  for  food  will  supply  and  make  abundant  your  seed 
and  will  increase  the  fruits  of  your  righteousness.  You  will  be 
enriched  in  everything  so  that  you  will  have  all  liberality 
which  through  our  agency  causes  thanksgiving  to  God.  For  the 
performance  of  this  sacred  service  not  only  supplies  the  needs  of 
the  holy,  but  also  overflows  to  God  in  many  thanksgivings.  By 
the  proof  afforded  by  this  service  men  are  led  to  glorify  God  for 
your  fidelity  to  your  profession  of  faith  in  the  good  news  of 
Christ,  and  for  the  liberality  of  your  contributions  toward  them 
and  toward  all.  In  their  prayers  in  your  behalf  they  pour  out 
their  longing  love  for  you  because  of  the  surpassing  grace  of 
God  that  is  upon  you.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  his  unspeakable 
gift! 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


311 


x 

I  myself,  Paul,  beg  you  by  the  gentleness  and  sweet  reason¬ 
ableness  of  Christ  —  I  who  ‘Ho  your  face  am  humble  when 
among  you,  but  when  absent  am  bold  toward  you”  —  I  pray 
that  I  may  not  when  present  have  to  be  bold  with  the  con¬ 
fidence  with  which  I  expect  to  show  my  courage  against  some 
who  think  of  us  as  living  according  to  the  flesh.  For  although 
living  in  the  flesh  we  do  not  carry  on  our  warfare  according  to 
the  flesh,  for  the  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  not  weapons  of 
the  flesh,  but  powerful  under  God  for  the  destruction  of  for¬ 
tresses.  We  overthrow  reasonings  and  every  high  thing  that 
exalts  itself  against  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  take  captive 
every  thought  into  obedience  to  Christ  and  are  ready  to  take 
vengeance  upon  every  disobedience  when  your  obedience  is 
complete. 

Look  at  what  is  right  before  your  eyes.  If  any  one  is  confident 
that  he  belongs  to  Christ,  let  him  again  consider  this  regard¬ 
ing  himself,  that  just  as  he  belongs  to  Christ  so  also  do  we. 
For  if  I  boast  somewhat  excessively  of  our  authority,  which  the 
Lord  gave  for  building  you  up  and  not  for  pulling  you  down,  I 
shall  not  be  ashamed.  Let  me  not  seem  as  if  meaning  to 
frighten  you  by  letters.  Because,  “His  letters,”  they  say,  “are 
mighty  and  strong,  but  his  bodily  presence  is  weak  and  his 
speaking  amounts  to  nothing.”  Let  such  a  person  consider  this, 
that  what  we  are  in  words  by  letters  when  absent  such  we  will 
be  in  deeds  when  present. 

We  do  not  venture  to  class  ourselves  or  compare  ourselves 
with  some  of  those  who  are  commending  themselves.  But  they, 
measuring  themselves  among  themselves  and  comparing  them¬ 
selves  with  themselves,  do  not  understand.  We  will  not  boast 
beyond  measure,  but  according  to  the  measure  of  the  measur¬ 
ing  rod  which  God  assigned  to  us,  and  that  reaches  as  far  as 
you.  For  we  are  not  stretching  ourselves,  as  if  we  did  not  reach 
to  you,  for  we  were  the  first  to  reach  you  with  the  good  news  of 
Christ.  We  are  not  boasting  beyond  measure  in  the  labors  of 
others,  but  we  have  hope  that  as  your  faith  grows  we  may  have 
larger  influence  among  you  according  to  our  measure  and  be- 


312 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


yond,  so  that  we  may  tell  the  good  news  to  the  regions  lying 
beyond  you  and  not  boast  of  things  already  done  in  some  other 
man’s  territory,  “Let  him  who  boasts  boast  in  the  Lord.” 
For  it  is  not  he  who  commends  himself  that  is  approved,  but 
whom  the  Lord  commends. 


XI 

O  that  you  would  bear  with  me  in  a  little  foolishness.  Yes,  bear 
with  me.  For  I  am  jealous  over  you  with  the  jealousy  of  God, 
for  I  betrothed  you  to  one  husband  to  present  you  as  a  pure 
virgin  to  Christ.  But  I  fear  that,  as  the  serpent  deceived  Eve 
by  his  cunning,  your  thoughts  may  be  led  away  from  sincerity 
and  purity  toward  Christ.  For  if  some  newcomer  proclaims 
another  Jesus  whom  we  did  not  proclaim,  or  if  you  receive  a 
different  kind  of  spirit  which  you  did  not  receive,  or  a  differ¬ 
ent  good  news  which  you  did  not  welcome,  you  bear  with  him 
finely.  I  consider  that  I  am  in  nothing  inferior  to  the  most 
eminent  apostles.  If  I  am  an  ordinary  man  in  speaking,  still 
I  am  not  in  knowledge,  but  in  everything  we  made  that  alto¬ 
gether  clear  to  you. 

Did  I  commit  a  sin  when  I  humbled  myself  that  you  might 
be  exalted,  because  I  proclaimed  to  you  the  good  news  of  God 
without  pay?  I  robbed  other  churches  by  taking  wages  for 
serving  you,  and  when  I  was  with  you  and  in  need  I  was  not  a 
burden  to  any  one,  for  the  brethren  who  came  from  Macedonia 
supplied  my  need.  In  every  way  I  kept  myself  from  being  a 
burden  to  you,  and  shall  keep  myself  so.  As  the  truth  of 
Christ  is  in  me,  this  boast  of  mine  shall  not  be  stopped  in  the 
region  of  Achaia.  Why?  Because  I  do  not  love  you?  God  knows. 
But  what  I  am  doing  I  shall  do  so  as  to  cut  away  all  ground  of 
attack  from  those  who  wish  ground,  and  that  in  what  they 
boast  of  they  may  be  found  just  like  us.  For  such  are  false 
apostles,  deceitful  workers,  disguising  themselves  as  apostles  of 
Christ.  And  no  wonder,  for  Satan  himself  disguises  himself  as 
an  angel  of  light.  So  it  is  no  great  thing  if  his  servants  too 
disguise  themselves  as  servants  of  righteousness.  Their  end 
will  be  according  to  their  deeds. 

I  say  again,  let  no  one  think  me  foolish.  But,  even  if  so, 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


313 


receive  me  as  foolish,  that  I  too  may  boast  a  little.  What  I 
am  saying  I  am  not  saying  by  the  Lord’s  command,  but  as  it 
were  in  foolishness,  in  this  confident  boasting.  Since  many  are 
boasting  according  to  the  flesh,  I  too  will  boast,  for  you  who 
are  wise  bear  pleasantly  with  the  foolish.  You  bear  it  if  any 
one  enslaves  you,  if  any  one  devours  you,  if  any  one  takes 
possession  of  you,  if  any  one  exalts  himself,  if  any  one  strikes 
you  in  the  face.  I  say  it  with  shame  as  if  we  had  been  weak. 

But  in  whatever  any  one  is  bold  (I  say  it  foolishly)  I  too  am 
bold.  Are  they  Hebrews?  So  am  I.  Are  they  Israelites?  So 
am  I.  Are  they  descended  from  Abraham?  So  am  I.  Are  they 
servants  of  Christ?  (I  speak  as  if  I  were  out  of  my  mind)  I 
superlatively  —  in  labors  beyond  measure,  in  prisons  beyond 
measure,  in  floggings  excessively,  in  deaths  often.  From  Jews 
five  times  I  received  forty  stripes  less  one,  three  times  I  was 
beaten  with  rods,  once  I  was  stoned,  three  times  I  was  ship¬ 
wrecked,  a  night  and  day  I  have  been  in  the  deep;  in  journeys 
often,  in  perils  of  rivers,  in  perils  of  robbers,  in  perils  from  my 
own  race,  in  perils  from  Gentiles,  in  perils  in  the  city,  in  perils 
in  the  open  country,  in  perils  on  the  sea,  in  perils  among  false 
brethren;  in  toil  and  labor,  in  many  a  sleepless  night,  in  hunger 
and  thirst,  in  fastings  often,  in  cold  and  nakedness.  Aside, 
from  other  things  there  is  that  which  weighs  on  me  daily,  anx¬ 
iety  for  all  the  churches.  Who  is  weak  and  I  am  not  weak? 
Who  stumbles  and  I  am  not  burning?  If  there  must  be  boasting, 
I  will  boast  of  the  things  that  show  my  weakness.  The  God  and 
Father  of  the  Lord  Jesus  knows,  he  who  is  blessed  forever, 
that  I  am  not  lying.  In  Damascus  the  Governor  under  King 
Aretas  was  guarding  the  city  of  the  Damascenes  to  arrest  me, 
and  through  a  window  I  was  lowered  in  a  basket  and  escaped 
from  his  hands. 

XII 

I  must  boast,  though  it  is  unprofitable.  I  will  come  to  visions 
and  revelations  of  the  Lord.  I  know  a  man  in  Christ  fourteen 
years  ago  —  whether  in  the  body  I  know  not,  or  out  of  the 
body  I  know  not;  God  knows  —  such  a  man  caught  up  to  the 
third  heaven.  I  know  such  a  man  —  whether  in  the  body  or  out 


314  SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


of  the  body  I  know  not;  God  knows  —  that  he  was  caught  up 
into  Paradise  and  heard  unspeakable  words  which  it  is  not 
lawful  for  man  to  speak.  Of  such  a  one  I  will  boast,  but  of  my¬ 
self  I  will  not  boast  except  of  my  weaknesses.  Even  if  I  choose 
to  boast  I  shall  not  be  foolish,  for  I  shall  speak  the  truth.  But  I 
guard  myself  that  no  one  may  think  of  me  beyond  what  he 
sees  me  to  be,  or  hears  from  me,  and  because  of  the  surpassing 
nature  of  the  revelations.  For  this  reason,  that  I  should  not  be 
puffed  up,  there  was  given  to  me  a  thorn  in  the  flesh,  an  angel 
of  Satan,  to  torment  me,  so  that  I  should  not  be  puffed  up. 
Regarding  this  I  three  times  begged  the  Lord  that  it  might 
leave  me.  But  he  has  said  to  me,  “My  grace  is  sufficient  for 
you;  for  power  is  made  perfect  in  weakness.”  Most  gladly 
then  will  I  boast  in  my  weaknesses,  that  the  power  of  Christ 
may  abide  upon  me.  Therefore  I  rejoice  in  weaknesses,  in 
rough  treatment,  in  necessities,  in  persecutions,  in  distresses 
for  Christ’s  sake;  for  when  I  am  weak,  then  I  am  strong. 

I  have  become  foolish;  you  made  me.  For  I  ought  to  have 
been  recommended  by  you.  For  in  nothing  have  I  been  inferior 
to  the  most  eminent  apostles,  even  though  I  am  nothing.  The 
signs  of  an  apostle  were  performed  among  you  in  all  patience 
by  miracles  and  wonders  and  deeds  of  power.  What  is  there  in 
which  you  were  made  inferior  to  the  rest  of  the  churches  except 
that  I  was  not  a  burden  to  you?  Forgive  me  this  wrong. 

Now  this  third  time  I  am  ready  to  come  to  you,  and  I  shall 
not  be  a  burden  to  you.  For  I  am  not  seeking  yours,  but  you. 
For  thejchildren  ought  not  to  lay  up  money  for  the  parents,  but 
the  parents  for  the  children.  And  I  will  most  gladly  spend  and 
be  spent  for  your  souls.  If  I  love  you  too  much,  am  I  loved  the 
less?  Be  that  as  it  may,  I  was  not  a  burden  to  you. 

But  being  crafty  I  caught  you  with  cunning?  Did  I  take 
advantage  of  you  through  any  one  of  those  I  sent  to  you?  I 
begged  Titus  to  go,  and  I  sent  along  with  him  the  brother.  Did 
Titus  take  advantage  of  you?  Did  we  not  act  in  the  same 
spirit  and  walk  in  the  same  steps? 

Are  you  thinking  all  this  while  that  we  are  defending  our¬ 
selves  to  you?  We  are  speaking  before  God  in  Christ.  All  this, 
beloved,  is  to  build  you  up.  For  I  am  afraid  that  when  I  come 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  CORINTHIANS 


315 


I  shall  not  find  you  such  as  I  wish,  and  I  myself  may  not  be 
found  by  you  such  as  you  wish.  I  am  afraid  that  there  may  be 
strife,  jealousy,  anger,  rivalry,  slanders,  whisperings,  conceit, 
disorders.  I  am  afraid  that  when  I  come  again  my  God  may 
humble  me  in  your  presence,  and  that  I  shall  grieve  over  many 
of  those  who  have  been  long  sinning  and  have  not  repented  of 
the  impurity  and  unchastity  and  sensuality  which  they  have 
practiced. 


XIII 

This  third  time  I  am  coming  to  you.  “By  the  evidence  of  two 
witnesses,  or  three,  every  matter  shall  be  proved.”  Those  who 
have  been  long  sinning  and  all  the  rest  I  have  forewarned  and 
now  forewarn,  when  I  was  present  with  you  the  second  time 
and  now  when  absent,  that  if  I  come  again  I  shall  not  spare; 
since  you  are  eager  to  have  a  test  of  Christ  speaking  in  me.  He 
is  not  weak  toward  you,  but  powerful  among  you.  He  was 
crucified  in  weakness,  but  he  is  living  by  the  power  of  God. 
And  we  are  weak  in  him,  but  we  shall  live  with  him  by  the 
power  of  God  for  you.  Test  yourselves  whether  you  are  in  the 
faith,  put  yourselves  to  the  proof.  Are  you  not  conscious  that 
Jesus  Christ  is  in  you?  He  is,  unless  you  cannot  stand  the  test. 
I  hope  that  you  know  that  we  are  not  unable  to  stand  the  test. 
I  pray  to  God  that  you  may  do  nothing  evil,  not  in  order  that 
we  may  seem  to  stand  the  test,  but  in  order  that  you  may  do 
the  right,  though  we  should  seem  unable  to  stand  the  test. 
For  we  cannot  do  anything  against  the  truth;  our  power  is  for 
the  truth.  We  rejoice  when  we  are  weak  and  you  are  strong. 
This  we  are  praying  for,  your  all-round  character.  For  this 
reason  I  am  writing  this  while  absent,  so  that  when  present  I 
may  not  act  with  severity  in  the  use  of  the  authority  which  the 
Lord  gave  me  for  building  you  up,  not  for  pulling  you  down. 

Now,  brethren,  farewell.  Be  fully  equipped;  take  courage; 
be  of  one  mind;  live  in  peace;  then  the  God  of  love  and  peace 
will  be  with  you.  Greet  one  another  with  a  holy  kiss.  All  the 
holy  send  greetings. 

The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and 
the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Spirit  be  with  you  all. 


PAUL’S  LETTER  TO  THE  GALATIANS 


I 

Paul  an  apostle  —  not  from  men  or  through  men,  but  through 
Jesus  Christ  and  God  the  Father,  who  raised  him  from  the  dead 
—  and  all  the  brethren  with  me,  to  the  churches  of  Galatia: 

Grace  to  you  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  gave  himself  for  our  sins  to  deliver  us  from 
the  present  wicked  world  according  to  the  will  of  our  God  and 
Father!  To  him  be  glory  through  the  ages  of  the  ages!  Amen. 

I  am  astonished  that  you  are  so  quickly  changing  over  from 
him  who  called  you  by  the  grace  of  Christ  to  a  different  kind  of 
good  news,  though  it  is  not  another  good  news.  But  there  are 
some  who  are  perplexing  you  and  wishing  to  pervert  the  good 
news  of  Christ.  But  even  if  we,  or  an  angel  from  heaven,  should 
bring  you  any  good  news  different  from  what  we  did  bring  you, 
let  him  be  accursed!  As  I  said  before,  I  say  now  again,  if  any 
one  brings  you  good  news  different  from  what  you  have  received, 
let  him  be  accursed! 

Am  I  now  trying  to  please  men  or  God?  If  I  were  still  trying 
to  please  men  I  should  not  be  Christ’s  servant.  For  I  assure  you, 
brethren,  that  the  good  news  which  I  brought  is  not  of  man’s 
devising.  For  neither  did  I  receive  it  from  man  nor  was  I 
taught  it  through  man,  but  through  a  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ. 

You  have  heard  of  my  former  life  in  Judaism,  that  I  furiously 
persecuted  the  church  of  God  and  made  havoc  of  it,  and  I  went 
further  in  Judaism  than  many  of  my  own  age  and  race,  being 
intensely  zealous  for  the  traditions  of  my  forefathers.  But  when 
he  who  had  appointed  me  when  I  was  in  my  mother’s  womb, 
and  had  called  me  by  his  grace,  was  pleased  to  reveal  his  Son 
in  me  that  I  might  tell  the  good  news  of  him  among  the  Gentiles, 
immediately  I  did  not  consult  with  flesh  and  blood,  nor  did  I 
go  up  to  Jerusalem  to  those  who  were  apostles  before  me,  but 
I  went  away  into  Arabia,  and  came  back  to  Damascus. 


LETTER  TO  THE  GALATIANS 


317 


Then,  after  three  years,  I  went  up  to  Jerusalem  to  visit 
Peter  and  stayed  with  him  fifteen  days.  But  I  saw  no  other 
one  of  the  apostles,  though  I  did  see  James  the  Lord’s 
brother.  In  what  I  am  writing  to  you,  before  God  I  am  not 
lying.  Then  I  came  into  the  regions  of  Syria  and  Cilicia.  I 
was  not  known  by  face  to  the  churches  of  Christ  in  Judaea. 
Only  they  had  heard  that  “he  who  used  to  persecute  us  is  now 
telling  the  good  news  of  the  faith  of  which  he  once  made 
havoc,”  and  they  glorified  God  on  my  account. 

II 

Then  after  fourteen  years  I  again  went  up  to  Jerusalem  with 
Barnabas,  taking  along  Titus.  I  went  up  by  revelation,  and  I 
stated  to  them  the  good  news  which  I  proclaim  among  the 
Gentiles.  But  I  did  this  privately  before  those  who  were  most 
esteemed,  that  I  might  not  be  running,  or  have  run,  to  no 
purpose. 

But  even  Titus,  who  was  with  me  and  was  a  Greek,  was  not 
compelled  to  be  circumcised,  though  it  was  suggested  on  ac¬ 
count  of  false  brethren  who  had  been  brought  in,  who  had  crept 
in  to  spy  out  our  liberty  which  we  have  in  Christ  Jesus,  in  order 
to  enslave  us.  But  we  did  not  yield  in  subjection  to  them  even 
for  an  hour,  that  the  truth  of  the  good  news  might  continue  with 
you.  But  from  those  who  were  esteemed  to  be  something  — 
whatever  they  were,  it  makes  no  difference  to  me;  God  does 
not  regard  the  social  standing  of  a  man  —  those  who  were  most 
esteemed  did  not  impart  to  me  anything  additional.  But,  on 
the  contrary,  seeing  that  I  was  entrusted  with  the  good  news 
for  the  uncircumcision  as  Peter  was  for  the  circumcision,  for  he 
who  had  worked  in  Peter  for  the  apostleship  to  the  circumcision 
had  worked  in  me  for  the  Gentiles,  recognizing  the  grace  given 
to  me,  James,  Cephas,  and  John,  who  were  regarded  as  pillars, 
gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  to  me  and  Barnabas,  that  we 
should  go  to  the  Gentiles  and  they  to  the  circumcision .  Only 
they  wished  us  to  remember  the  poor.  This  very  thing  I  also 
was  earnest  in  doing. 

But  when  Peter  came  to  Antioch,  I  opposed  him  to  his  face, 
because  he  had  been  justly  censured.  For  before  certain  per- 


318 


LETTER  TO  THE  GALATIANS 


sons  came  from  James,  he  was  eating  with  the  Gentiles.  But 
when  they  came,  he  drew  back  and  separated  himself,  fearing 
those  who  were  of  the  circumcision.  And  the  rest  of  the  Jews 
practiced  the  same  hypocrisy  with  him,  so  that  even  Barna¬ 
bas  was  led  off  with  them  in  their  hypocrisy.  But  when  I  saw 
that  they  were  not  walking  straight  according  to  the  truth  of  the 
good  news,  I  said  to  Cephas  before  them  all,  “  If  you  who  are  a 
Jew  are  living  like  a  Gentile  and  not  like  a  Jew,  how  can  you 
compel  the  Gentiles  to  live  like  Jews?”  We  who  are  Jews  by 
nature  and  not  sinners  of  the  Gentiles,  knowing  that  a  man  is 
not  declared  righteous  because  of  works  of  law,  but  through 
faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  we  also  have  put  our  faith  in  Christ  Jesus 
that  we  may  be  declared  righteous  because  of  faith  in  Christ, 
and  not  because  of  works  of  law,  for  because  of  works  of  law  no 
human  being  will  be  declared  righteous.  If  while  seeking  to  be 
declared  righteous  in  Christ  we  ourselves  are  found  sinners,  is 
Christ  then  a  servant  of  sin?  Never.  For  if  I  am  building  up 
again  what  I  pulled  down,  I  show  myself  as  a  transgressor. 
For  I  through  law  died  to  law  that  I  might  live  to  God.  I  have 
been  crucified  with  Christ.  I  am  living,  yet  no  longer  I,  but 
Christ  is  living  in  me.  The  life  that  I  am  now  living  in  flesh  I 
am  living  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me  and  gave 
himself  for  me.  I  do  not  make  nothing  of  the  grace  of  God, 
for  if  righteousness  is  through  law,  then  Christ  died  for  nothing. 

Ill 

0  thoughtless  Galatians,  who  has  bewitched  you  before 
whose  eyes  Jesus  Christ  was  pictured  crucified?  Only  this  I 
wish  to  learn  from  you:  Was  it  because  of  works  of  law  that  you 
received  the  Spirit,  or  because  of  hearing  with  faith?  Are 
you  so  thoughtless?  After  beginning  with  spirit  are  you  now 
finishing  with  flesh?  Have  you  suffered  such  things  to  no 
purpose?  —  if  it  is  to  no  purpose.  He  who  supplies  to  you  the 
Spirit  and  works  miracles  among  you,  is  he  doing  it  because  of 
works  of  law  or  because  of  hearing  with  faith,  just  as  Abraham 
had  faith  in  God  and  it  was  credited  to  him  for  righteousness? 

You  know,  then,  that  those  who  are  of  faith  —  they  are 
children  of  Abraham.  For  the  Scripture,  foreseeing  that  God 


LETTER  TO  THE  GALATIANS 


319 


would  declare  the  Gentiles  righteous  because  of  faith,  an¬ 
nounced  the  good  news  in  advance  to  Abraham,  “  In  you  all  the 
Gentiles  will  be  blessed.”  So  then  those  who  are  of  faith  are 
blessed  with  faithful  Abraham.  For  all  who  are  of  the  works 
of  law  are  under  a  curse,  for  it  is  written,  “  Cursed  is  every  one 
who  does  not  abide  by  all  the  precepts  of  the  book  of  the  Law 
and  do  them.”  But  that  by  law  no  one  is  declared  righteous 
before  God  is  plain,  because,  “He  who  is  righteous  by  faith 
shall  live.”  But  the  Law  is  not  of  faith,  but  “He  who  does  these 
things  shall  live  by  them.”  Christ  redeemed  us  from  the  curse 
of  the  Law  by  becoming  a  curse  for  our  sake,  for  it  is  written, 
“Cursed  is  every  one  who  hangs  on  a  tree,”  in  order  that  the 
blessing  of  Abraham  might  in  Jesus  Christ  come  on  the  Gentiles, 
that  they  might  receive  through  faith  the  promise  of  the  Spirit. 
Brethren,  I  am  speaking  humanly,  a  ratified  covenant,  al¬ 
though  but  a  man’s,  no  one  can  set  aside  or  add  to.  But  the 
promises  were  spoken  to  Abraham  and  to  his  offspring.  It 
does  not  say,  “and  to  offsprings,”  as  meaning  many,  but  as  if 
meaning  one,  “and  to  your  offspring,”  who  is  Christ.  I  mean 
this,  a  covenant  ratified  by  God,  the  Law  that  came  four  hun¬ 
dred  and  thirty  years  afterward  does  not  annul,  so  as  to  defeat 
the  promise.  For  if  the  inheritance  is  by  law,  it  is  no  longer  by 
promise.  But  God  granted  it  to  Abraham  by  promise. 

Why  then  was  the  Law?  It  was  added  later  to  make  trans¬ 
gressions,  until  the  Offspring  should  come  to  whom  the  promise 
had  been  made,  and  it  was  arranged  through  angels  by  the 
hand  of  a  mediator.  A  mediator  does  not  belong  to  one  per¬ 
son,  but  God  is  one.  Is  the  Law  then  against  the  promises  of 
God?  Never.  For  if  a  law  had  been  given  which  could  give 
life,  then  really  righteousness  would  have  come  by  law.  But  the 
Scripture  has  shut  up  all  under  sin  that  the  promise  based  on 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ  may  be  given  to  those  who  have  faith. 

Before  faith  came  we  were  guarded  under  law,  shut  up 
waiting  for  the  faith  that  was  to  be  revealed.  Thus  the  Law 
became  our  tutor  leading  us  to  Christ,  that  we  might  be  de¬ 
clared  righteous  by  faith.  Now  that  faith  has  come,  we  are  no 
longer  under  a  tutor.  You  are  all  sons  of  God  through  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus.  All  who  have  been  baptized  into  Christ  have 


320 


LETTER  TO  THE  GALATIANS 


put  on  Christ.  There  cannot  be  Jew  or  Greek,  slave  or  free, 
male  or  female:  for  you  all  are  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  If  you  are 
Christ’s,  then  you  are  Abraham’s  offspring  and  heirs  according 
to  the  promise. 


IV 

I  say  that  as  long  as  the  heir  is  under  age  he  differs  in  nothing 
from  a  slave,  though  he  be  owner  of  all.  But  he  is  under 
guardians  and  managers  until  the  day  appointed  by  the  father. 
So  we,  when  we  were  under  age,  were  enslaved  under  the  ele¬ 
mentary  lessons  of  the  world;  but,  when  the  fullness  of  time 
came,  God  sent  forth  his  Son  born  of  a  woman,  born  under  the 
Law,  that  he  might  redeem  those  who  were  under  Law,  that  we 
might  receive  the  recognition  as  sons.  Because  you  are  sons, 
God  has  sent  into  our  hearts  the  Spirit  of  his  Son  crying  Abba, 
Father.  So  you  are  no  longer  a  slave,  but  a  son,  and  if  a  son, 
then  also  an  heir,  through  God’s  act. 

At  the  time  when  you  did  not  know  God  you  were  enslaved 
to  what  by  nature  are  not  gods.  But  now  that  you  know  God, 
or  rather  have  been  known  by  God,  how  are  you  turning  back 
to  the  weak  and  beggarly  elementary  lessons  to  which  you  wish 
to  be  slaves  again?  You  observe  days  and  months  and  seasons 
and  years.  You  make  me  afraid  that  I  have  labored  over 
you  uselessly. 

Become  like  me,  brethren,  I  beg  of  you,  for  I  became  like 
you.  You  have  not  wronged  me  in  anything.  You  know  that 
because  of  weakness  of  the  flesh  I  told  you  the  good  news  at 
first.  And  you  did  not  despise  or  spurn  what  was  a  trial  to  you  in 
my  bodily  condition,  but  welcomed  me  as  you  would  an  angel 
of  God,  as  you  would  Christ  Jesus.  Where  now  is  the  blessing 
you  pronounced  on  me?  For  I  bear  you  witness  that  if  it  had 
been  possible  you  would  have  plucked  out  your  own  eyes  and 
given  them  to  me.  Have  I  become  your  enemy  because  I  tell 
you  the  truth?  They  are  paying  court  to  you,  but  not  honor¬ 
ably.  No,  they  wish  to  shut  you  out,  so  that  you  may  pay 
court  to  them.  It  is  honorable  to  be  courted  in  an  honorable 
matter  always,  and  not  only  when  I  am  with  you,  my  children, 
for  whom  I  again  am  suffering  birth  pangs  until  Christ  is 


LETTER  TO  THE  GALATIANS  321 

formed  in  you.  Would  that  I  could  be  present  with  you  now 
and  could  change  my  tone,  for  I  am  at  a  loss  about  you. 

Tell  me,  you  who  wish  to  be  under  law,  do  you  not  hear  the 
Law?  For  it  is  written  that  Abraham  had  two  sons,  one  born  of 
the  slave  girl  and  one  born  of  the  free  wife.  But  he  who  was 
born  of  the  slave  girl  was  born  according  to  the  flesh,  while  he 
who  was  born  of  the  free  wife  was  born  by  promise.  This  is  an 
allegory.  For  these  women  are  the  two  covenants,  one  from 
Mount  Sinai,  bearing  children  for  slavery.  This  is  Hagar. 
Hagar  is  Mount  Sinai  in  Arabia.  She  represents  the  present 
Jerusalem,  for  she  is  in  slavery  along  with  her  children.  But 
the  Jerusalem  on  high  is  free  and  she  is  our  mother.  For  it  is 
written,  “ Rejoice,  0  barren  one,  you  who  do  not  bear!  Break 
forth  and  shout,  you  who  feel  no  birth  pangs!  For  many  are 
the  children  of  the  desolate  —  more  than  those  of  her  who  has 
a  husband.”  But  you,  brethren,  are,  as  Isaac  was,  children  of 
promise.  But  just  as  then  he  who  was  born  according  to  the 
flesh  persecuted  him  who  was  born  according  to  the  Spirit,  so  it 
is  now.  But  what  says  the  Scripture?  “Cast  out  the  slave 
girl  and  her  son.  For  the  son  of  the  slave  girl  shall  not  inherit 
along  with  the  son  of  the  free  wife.”  Therefore,  brethren,  we 
are  not  children  of  a  slave  girl,  but  of  the  free  wife. 

V 

Stand  firm,  therefore,  in  the  freedom  with  which  Christ  set  us 
free,  and  do  not  wear  any  yoke  of  slavery. 

See,  I,  Paul,  tell  you  that  if  you  receive  circumcision,  Christ 
will  be  of  no  use  to  you.  I  testify  again  to  every  man  who 
receives  circumcision  that  he  is  under  obligation  to  carry  out 
the  whole  Law.  You  have  put  an  end  to  Christ’s  work  for  you, 
you  who  are  declared  righteous  by  law;  you  have  fallen  away 
from  grace.  For  we  in  the  Spirit  because  of  faith  are  waiting 
for  the  hope  of  righteousness.  For  in  Christ  Jesus  neither  has 
circumcision  any  value  nor  uncircumcision,  but  faith  working 
through  love. 

You  were  running  finely.  Who  hindered  you  from  obeying 
the  truth?  The  persuasion  was  not  from  him  who  called  you. 
A  little  yeast  sets  the  whole  lump  fermenting.  I  am  persuaded 


322 


LETTER  TO  THE  GALATIANS 


in  regard  to  you  in  the  Lord  that  you  will  have  no  other  mind. 
He  who  is  troubling  you  must  bear  his  condemnation,  whoever 
he  may  be.  But  I,  brethren,  if  I  am  still  proclaiming  circum¬ 
cision,  why  am  I  persecuted?  Then  the  offensiveness  of  the 
cross  has  been  done  away.  Would  that  those  who  are  troubling 
you  would  even  cut  off  all! 

For  you  were  called  to  freedom,  brethren;  only  do  not  let 
your  freedom  be  an  opportunity  for  the  flesh,  but  in  love  be 
servants  to  one  another.  For  the  whole  Law  is  summed  up  in 
one  word:  “You  shall  love  your  neighbor  as  yourself.”  But  if 
you  bite  and  devour  one  another,  take  care  that  you  are  not 
destroyed  by  one  another. 

I  say,  walk  in  the  Spirit  and  you  will  not  carry  out  the  pas¬ 
sions  of  the  flesh.  For  the  flesh  has  passions  contrary  to  the 
Spirit  and  the  Spirit  contrary  to  the  flesh,  for  these  are  opposed 
to  each  other,  so  that  you  may  not  do  whatever  you  wish. 
But  if  you  are  led  by  the  Spirit  you  are  not  under  law.  The 
works  of  the  flesh  are  obvious,  such  as  unchastity,  impurity, 
indecency,  idolatry,  magic,  hatred,  strife,  jealousy,  anger, 
rivalries,  dissensions,  factions,  envyings,  drinking  bouts,  revel¬ 
ries,  and  the  like.  Of  these  I  tell  you  beforehand,  as  I  have 
already  told  you,  that  those  who  practice  such  things  will  not 
inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.  But  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love, 
joy,  peace,  slowness  to  anger,  kindness,  benevolence,  faithful¬ 
ness,  gentleness,  self-control;  against  such  there  is  no  law. 
Those  who  belong  to  Christ  Jesus  have  crucified  the  flesh  with 
its  emotions  and  passions. 

If  we  are  living  in  the  Spirit  let  us  direct  our  lives  by 
the  Spirit.  Let  us  not  be  vainglorious,  irritating  one  another, 
envying  one  another. 


VI 

Brethren,  if  a  man  is  surprised  in  some  sin,  you  who  are 
spiritual  are  to  restore  such  a  one  in  a  spirit  of  gentleness,  each 
looking  out  for  himself  to  avoid  being  tempted. 

Bear  one  another’s  burdens  and  so  fulfill  the  law  of  Christ. 
If  any  one  thinks  that  he  is  something  when  he  is  nothing,  he 
deceives  himself.  Let  each  one  test  his  own  work  and  then  he 


LETTER  TO  THE  GALATIANS  323 

will  have  his  reason  for  boasting  in  himself  alone  and  not  in 
another.  For  each  must  bear  his  own  load. 

Let  him  who  is  taught  the  message  share  with  his  teacher  in 
all  good  things.  Do  not  be  deceived ;  God  is  not  mocked ;  what 
a  man  sows  that  he  will  also  reap.  For  he  who  sows  to  his  own 
flesh  will  from  the  flesh  reap  decay;  but  he  who  sows  to  the 
Spirit  will  from  the  Spirit  reap  life  eternal.  Let  us  not  grow 
discouraged  in  doing  what  is  noble,  for  in  due  time  we  shall 
reap  if  we  do  not  grow  faint.  So  then  as  we  have  opportunity 
let  us  work  for  the  good  of  all  men,  and  especially  of  those  who 
belong  to  the  household  of  the  faith. 

See  with  what  great  letters  I  write  with  my  own  hand.  All 
who  wish  to  make  a  fair  show  in  the  flesh  are  trying  to  compel 
you  to  receive  circumcision,  but  only  that  they  may  not  be 
persecuted  for  the  cross  of  Christ.  For  even  those  who  are  cir¬ 
cumcised  do  not  themselves  keep  the  Law,  but  they  wish  you 
to  be  circumcised  in  order  to  boast  in  your  flesh.  But  let  me 
never  boast  except  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
which  the  world  is  crucified  to  me  and  I  to  the  world.  For 
neither  is  circumcision  anything  nor  uncircumcision,  but  a 
new  creation.  All  who  walk  by  this  rule  —  may  peace  and 
mercy  be  on  them,  and  on  the  Israel  of  God! 

For  the  future  let  no  one  trouble  me;  for  I  bear  on  my  body 
the  brands  of  Jesus. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  your  spirits, 
brethren.  Amen. 


PAUL’S  LETTER  TO  THE  EPHESIANS 


i 

Paul,  an  apostle  of  Christ  Jesus  by  the  will  of  God,  to  the 
Holy  who  are  at  Ephesus,  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus: 

Grace  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ!  •. 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
has  blessed  us  with  every  spiritual  blessing  in  the  heavenly 
heights  in  Christ,  even  as  he  chose  us  in  him  before  the  founda¬ 
tion  of  the  world  to  be  holy  and  spotless  before  him  in  love. 
He  predestined  us  to  recognition  as  sons  to  himself  through 
Jesus  Christ  according  to  the  kindness  of  his  will,  to  the  praise 
of  his  glorious  grace  which  he  bestowed  on  us  in  the  Beloved, 
in  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness 
of  our  sins,  according  to  the  wealth  of  his  loving  kindness  which 
he  made  to  abound  toward  us  in  all  wisdom  and  understanding. 
He  has  made  known  to  us  the  mystery  of  his  will  according  to 
his  grace  which  he  purposed  in  him  for  the  government  of  the 
fullness  of  the  ages,  to  bring  to  unity  all  things  in  Christ,  both 
things  in  the  heavens  and  things  on  the  earth.  In  him  we  were 
predestined  according  to  the  plan  of  him  who  works  in  all 
things  according  to  the  purpose  of  his  will,  and  we  were  made 
God’s  heritage  in  order  that  we  might  bring  praise  to  his  glory 
—  we  who  first  have  fixed  our  hope  on  Christ.  In  him  you  also, 
after  hearing  the  message  of  the  truth,  the  good  news  of  your 
salvation,  and  putting  your  faith  in  him,  were  sealed  by  the 
promised  Holy  Spirit,  which  is  the  pledge  of  our  inheritance  in 
anticipation  of  the  full  redemption  of  God’s  own  people  to  the 
praise  of  his  glory. 

For  this  reason  I  also,  since  hearing  of  your  faith  in  Jesus 
and  your  love  to  all  the  saints,  never  cease  giving  thanks  for 
you  when  I  mention  you  in  my  prayers,  that  the  God  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  most  glorious,  may  give  to  you 
a  spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation  in  the  knowledge  of  himself, 


LETTER  TO  THE  EPHESIANS 


325 


enlightening  the  eyes  of  your  heart,  that  you  may  know  what 
is  the  hope  of  his  calling,  and  what  the  glorious  wealth  of  his 
inheritance  in  the  holy,  and  what  the  surpassing  greatness  of  his 
power  toward  us  who  believe  according  to  the  inworking  of  his 
vast  might,  which  he  put  forth  in  Christ  when  he  raised  him 
from  the  dead  and  made  him  sit  at  his  own  right  hand  in  the 
heavenly  heights,  far  above  every  archangel  and  authority  and 
power  and  lordship  and  every  name  that  is  named  not  only  in 
this  world  but  also  in  the  world  to  come.  He  put  all  things  under 
his  feet  and  placed  him  as  head  over  all  for  the  church,  which  is 
his  body,  the  fullness  of  him  who  fills  all  in  all. 

II 

You  also  God  raised  to  life  when  you  were  dead  in  misdeeds 
and  sins  in  which  you  once  walked,  following  the  ways  of  this 
age  of  the  world,  led  by  the  Ruler  of  the  power  of  the  air,  the 
spirit  who  now  works  in  the  sons  of  disobedience.  Among 
these  we  all  lived  once  in  the  passions  of  our  flesh  and  of  our 
thoughts,  and  we  were  by  nature  children  of  wrath  like  the 
rest.  But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  because  of  his  great  love 
with  which  he  loved  us,  even  when  we  were  dead  in  misdeeds, 
made  us  alive  along  with  Christ  —  by  grace  we  have  been 
saved  —  and  raised  us  up  with  him  and  made  us  sit  with  him 
in  the  heavenly  heights  in  Christ  Jesus,  that  he  might  show  in 
the  ages  to  come  the  surpassing  richness  of  his  grace  in  his 
kindness  to  us  in  Christ  Jesus.  For  by  grace  you  have  been 
saved  through  faith,  and  that  not  of  yourselves;  it  is  the  gift 
of  God,  not  of  works,  that  no  one  may  boast.  For  we  are  his 
work,  formed  in  Christ  Jesus  for  good  works  in  which  God  had 
prepared  beforehand  to  have  us  live. 

Therefore  remember  that  once  you  were  Gentiles  in  the 
flesh  and  were  called  uncircumcision  by  the  so-called  circum¬ 
cision  in  the  flesh,  made  by  hands,  and  that  you  were  then 
apart  from  Christ,  aliens  from  the  commonwealth  of  Israel 
and  strangers  to  the  covenants  of  promise,  without  hope  and 
without  God  in  the  world.  But  now  in  Christ  Jesus  you  who 
once  were  far  have  become  near  by  the  blood  of  Christ.  For 
he  is  our  peace.  He  has  made  both  Jew  and  Gentile  one  and  has 


326 


LETTER  TO  THE  EPHESIANS 


broken  down  the  dividing  wall,  the  enmity.  In  his  own  flesh  he 
has  ended  the  force  of  the  law  of  commandments  in  ordinances 
in  order  to  make  the  two,  in  himself,  into  one  new  man,  thus 
making  peace,  and  in  order  to  reconcile  both  in  one  body  to 
God  through  his  cross,  by  slaying  the  enmity  by  it.  And  he 
came  and  brought  the  good  news  of  peace  to  you  who  were 
far  and  peace  to  those  who  were  near.  For  through  him  we, 
both  Jews  and  Gentiles,  have  access  through  one  Spirit  to 
the  Father.  So  then  you  are  no  longer  strangers  and  resident 
aliens,  but  fellow  citizens  with  the  holy  and  members  of  the 
household  of  God,  built  on  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and 
prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  corner  stone.  In  him 
all  the  building,  framed  together,  is  growing  into  a  holy  temple 
in  the  Lord,  in  whom  you  also  are  being  built  for  a  dwelling  of 
God  in  the  Spirit. 


Ill 

For  this  reason  I,  Paul,  the  prisoner  of  Christ  Jesus  for  the 
sake  of  you  Gentiles,  — if  you  have  heard  of  the  gracious  com¬ 
mission  which  God  has  given  me  to  you,  that  by  revelation 
the  mystery  has  been  disclosed  to  me,  as  I  wrote  before  briefly, 
In  reading  that  letter  you  can  learn  my  understanding  in  the 
mystery  of  Christ,  a  mystery  which  was  not  disclosed  in  other 
generations  to  the  sons  of  men  as  it  has  now  been  revealed 
to  his  holy  apostles  and  prophets  by  the  Spirit,  namely,  that 
the  Gentiles  are  fellow  heirs  and  fellow  members  of  the  body, 
fellow  sharers  of  the  promise  in  Christ  Jesus  through  the  good 
news,  of  which  I  became  a  servant  according  to  the  free  grace 
of  God  which  was  given  me  by  the  inworking  of  his  power. 
To  me,  the  least  of  all  the  holy,  has  this  grace  been  given,  to 
proclaim  to  the  Gentiles  the  good  news  of  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ  and  to  show  what  is  the  working  of  the  mys¬ 
tery  which  has  been  hidden  for  ages  in  God,  who  created  all 
things  in  order  to  disclose  now  to  the  archangels  and  powers  in 
the  heavenly  heights,  through  the  church,  the  varied  wisdom 
of  God,  according  to  the  eternal  purpose  which  he  has  accom¬ 
plished  by  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  in  whom  we  have  boldness 
and  confident  access  through  faith  in  him. 


LETTER  TO  THE  EPHESIANS 


327 


So  I  beg  you  not  to  lose  heart  because  of  the  distresses  that 
come  on  me  for  your  sake.  They  are  a  high  honor  to  you. 

For  this  reason  I  bow  my  knees  to  the  Father  from  whom 
every  family  in  heaven  and  on  earth  is  named,  that  he  may 
grant  to  you  according  to  his  glorious  wealth  to  be  strengthened 
with  might  through  his  Spirit  in  the  inner  man,  that  Christ  may 
dwell  in  your  hearts  through  faith,  and  that  you,  rooted  and 
founded  in  love,  may  be  able  with  all  the  holy  to  compre¬ 
hend  what  is  the  breadth  and  length  and  height  and  depth  — 
yes,  to  know  the  love  of  Christ,  which  yet  surpasses  knowledge, 
and  may  be  filled  with  all  the  fullness  of  God. 

To  him  who  is  able  to  do  far  beyond  all  we  ask  or  think  by 
the  power  that  works  in  us,  to  him  be  glory  in  the  church  and 
in  Christ  Jesus  through  all  the  generations  of  the  ages!  Amen. 

IV 

I,  the  prisoner  of  the  Lord,  beg  you,  then,  to  live  worthily  of 
the  calling  with  which  you  have  been  called,  with  all  modesty 
and  gentleness,  being  slow  to  anger,  bearing  with  one  another 
in  love,  earnest  in  keeping  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond 
of  peace.  There  is  one  body  and  one  Spirit,  just  as  you  were 
called  with  one  hope  that  belongs  to  your  calling,  one  Lord,  one 
faith,  one  baptism,  one  God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  over  all 
and  through  all  and  in  all. 

To  each  one  of  us  grace  was  given  according  to  the  measure 
of  the  gift  of  Christ.  Therefore  it  says,  “He  ascended  on  high; 
he  led  away  captives;  he  gave  gifts  to  men.”  What  does  “he 
ascended’’  mean,  except  that  he  had  descended  into  the  lowest 
parts  of  the  earth?  He  who  descended  is  also  he  who  “ascended  ” 
high  above  all  the  heavens  to  fill  all  things.  And  he  “gave” 
to  some  to  be  apostles,  some  prophets,  some  tellers  of  the  good 
news,  some  shepherds  and  teachers,  for  the  equipment  of  the 
saints,  for  the  work  of  service,  for  building  up  the  body  of  Christ, 
until  we  all  attain  oneness  in  the  faith  and  the  knowledge  of 
the  Son  of  God,  and  the  maturity  of  manhood  and  the  meas¬ 
ure  of  the  stature  of  the  fullness  of  Christ.  Then  we  shall  be 
no  longer  children  tossed  and  borne  about  by  every  wind  of 
teaching  through  the  trickery  of  men  and  craftiness  in  the 


328 


LETTER  TO  THE  EPHESIANS 


devices  of  deceit,  but  speaking  the  truth  in  love  we  shall  grow 
wholly  into  him  who  is  the  head,  Christ,  from  whom  the  whole 
body  framed  together  and  strengthened  by  what  every  joint 
supplies  vigorously,  in  the  measure  of  each,  makes  growth  in 
building  itself  up  in  love. 

This  then  I  say  and  solemnly  protest  in  the  Lord :  that  you 
are  no  longer  to  live  as  the  Gentiles  live  in  vacancy  of  mind, 
having  their  understanding  darkened,  aliens  from  the  life  of 
God  because  of  the  ignorance  that  is  in  them,  and  because  of 
the  hardness  of  their  hearts.  Lost  to  any  sense  of  shame  they 
have  abandoned  themselves  to  sensuality  for  the  practice  of 
every  kind  of  impurity  with  greediness.  But  you  have  not  so 
learned  Christ,  if  you  have  heard  him  and  have  been  taught  in 
him  as  the  truth  is  in  Jesus,  that  you  should  put  away  the  old 
man  who  belonged  to  your  former  way  of  life  and  was  perish¬ 
ing  in  deluding  passions,  and  that  you  should  be  made  new  in 
the  spirit  of  your  minds  and  put  on  the  new  man  formed  as  God 
approves  in  the  righteousness  and  holiness  of  truth. 

Therefore  put  aside  lying  and  speak  truth  every  one  to  his 
neighbor,  for  we  are  members  one  of  another.  “Be  angry  and 
do  not  s‘n.”  Do  not  let  the  sun  go  down  on  your  wrath,  neither 
give  place  for  the  Devil.  He  who  steals  must  steal  no  longer, 
but  rather  he  must  labor,  working  with  his  own  hands  some¬ 
thing  good,  so  as  to  have  something  to  share  with  any  one  in 
need.  Let  no  vile  word  come  out  of  your  mouth,  but,  if  any¬ 
thing,  a  good  word  for  needed  upbuilding  of  character  to  give 
grace  to  those  who  hear.  Do  not  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God 
by  whom  you  have  been  sealed  for  the  day  of  redemption. 
Let  all  bitterness  and  anger  and  wrath  and  clamor  and  abu¬ 
sive  language  be  put  away  from  you  with  every  kind  of  malice. 
Be  kind  to  one  another,  sympathetic,  forgiving  one  another  just 
as  God  in  Christ  has  forgiven  you. 

V 

Be  imitators  of  God  as  beloved  children  and  live  in  love,  as 
Christ  loved  us  and  gave  himself  for  us,  an  offering  and  sacrifice 
to  God  yielding  a  fragrant  odor. 

Unchastity  or  any  kind  of  impurity  or  greediness  must  not  be 


LETTER  TO  THE  EPHESIANS 


329 


mentioned  among  you,  as  befits  holy  people;  nor  should  there 
be  indecent  and  foolish  talk  or  jesting,  which  are  unbecoming, 
but  rather  thanksgiving.  For  you  know  well  that  no  unchaste 
or  impure  person,  no  greedy  person  —  who  is  an  idolater  — 
has  any  inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ  and  God.  Let  no 
one  deceive  you  with  empty  words;  for  because  of  these  things 
the  wrath  of  God  comes  on  the  sons  of  disobedience.  Do  not, 
then,  be  partakers  with  them.  For  you  were  once  darkness,  but 
now  you  are  light  in  the  Lord.  Live  like  children  of  light  —  for 
the  fruit  of  light  appears  in  all  generosity  and  righteousness 
and  truth  —  testing  what  is  pleasing  to  the  Lord,  and  have  no 
fellowship  with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  but  rather 
reprove  them,  for  the  things  that  they  do  in  secret  it  is  shame¬ 
ful  even  to  speak  of.  But  all  things  when  reproved  are  shown 
truly  by  the  light,  for  everything  shown  truly  is  light.  There¬ 
fore  it  says,  “Wake,  O  sleeper,  and  rise  from  the  dead  and 
Christ  will  give  you  light.” 

Be  strictly  careful,  then,  how  you  live,  not  as  unwise  but  as 
wise.  Buy  up  the  opportunity,  because  these  are  evil  days. 
Therefore  do  not  be  thoughtless,  but  understand  what  is  the 
Lord’s  will.  Do  not  be  drunk  with  wine,  in  which  there  is  prof¬ 
ligacy,  but  be  full  of  the  Spirit,  speaking  to  one  another  in 
psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  and  playing  the 
harp  heartily  to  the  Lord,  giving  thanks  always  for  all  things  in 
the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  God  the  Father. 

Be  subject  to  one  another  in  reverence  for  Christ,  wives  to 
their  own  husbands  as  in  the  Lord,  because  a  man  is  the  head  of 
his  wife  as  Christ  is  the  head  of  the  church  and  he  is  the  savior 
of  the  body.  But  as  the  church  is  subject  to  Christ,  so  wives  are 
to  their  husbands  in  everything.  Husbands,  love  your  wives, 
as  Christ  also  loved  the  church  and  gave  himself  for  it,  that 
he  might  make  it  holy,  cleansing  it  by  the  washing  with  water 
according  to  his  word,  that  he  might  present  to  himself  the 
church  glorious,  without  spot  or  wrinkle  or  any  such  thing, 
but  holy  and  faultless.  Thus  ought  men  to  love  their  own  wives 
as  their  own  bodies.  He  who  loves  his  own  wife  loves  himself, 
for  no  one  ever  hates  his  own  flesh,  but  nourishes  and  cherishes 
it,  just  as  Christ  does  the  church,  for  we  are  members  of  his 


330 


LETTER  TO  THE  EPHESIANS 


body.  “  Therefore  shall  a  man  leave  his  father  and  his  mother 
and  shall  cleave  to  his  wife  and  the  two  shall  become  one  flesh.  ” 
This  mystery  is  great,  but  I  am  speaking  of  Christ  and  the 
church.  But  each  one  of  you  must  love  his  own  wife  as  himself, 
and  the  wife  must  reverence  her  husband. 

VI 

Children,  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  right. 
“  Honor  your  father  and  your  mother.”  This  is  the  first  com¬ 
mandment  with  a  promise,  “  That  it  may  go^well  with  you  and 
you  may  be  long-lived  in  the  land.” 

And  you,  fathers,  do  not  irritate  your  children,  but  bring 
them  up  in  the  education  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

Slaves,  obey  those  who  according  to  the  flesh  are  your 
masters,  with  reverence  and  awe  in  singleness  of  your  hearts 
as  to  Christ,  not  with  eye  service  as  pleasers  of  men,  but  as 
Christ’s  slaves,  doing  the  will  of  God  in  a  whole-souled  way, 
giving  service  with  cheerfulness  as  to  the  Lord  and  not  to  men, 
knowing  that  whatever  good  thing  each  one  does  that  he  will 
be  rewarded  for  by  the  Lord,  whether  he  be  slave  or  free. 

And  you,  masters,  do  the  same  by  them,  avoiding  threats, 
knowing  that  the  Master  both  of  them  and  of  you  is  in  the 
heavens,  and  there  is  no  partiality  for  rank  with  him. 

To  conclude :  Be  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of  his 
might.  Put  on  the  complete  armor  of  God  so  that  you  may  be 
able  to  stand  against  the  cunning  arts  of  the  Devil.  For  our 
wrestling  is  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  the  arch¬ 
angels,  against  the  authorities,  against  the  world-rulers  of  this 
darkness,  against  spiritual  forces  of  wickedness  in  the  heavenly 
heights. 

Therefore  take  the  complete  armor  of  God,  that  you  may 
be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil  day  and,  after  going  through 
everything,  to  stand.  Stand,  then,  belted  with  truth,  wearing 
the  breastplate  of  righteousness,  shod  with  the  readiness  of  the 
good  news  of  peace.  In  every  event  take  up  the  shield  of  faith 
by  which  you  will  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the 
Evil  One,  and  accept  the  helmet  of  salvation  and  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God.  Pray  at  all  times  in  the 


LETTER  TO  THE  EPHESIANS 


331 


Spirit  with  all  manner  of  prayer  and  entreaty;  be  awake  to 
this  with  all  intentness  and  with  prayer  for  all  the  holy  and  in 
my  behalf,  that  words  may  be  given  to  me  when  I  open  my 
mouth  to  make  known  with  fearlessness  the  mystery  of  the 
good  news,  for  which  I  am  an  ambassador  in  chains,  that  I  may 
tell  it  fearlessly  as  I  ought. 

That  you  also  may  know  my  situation,  what  I  am  doing, 
Tychicus  the  beloved  brother  and  faithful  servant  in  the  Lord, 
whom  I  am  sending  to  you  for  this  very  purpose,  will  tell  you 
everything,  so  that  you  may  know  the  news  of  me  and  he  may 
encourage  your  hearts. 

Peace  to  the  brethren  and  love  with  faith  from  God  the 
Father  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ!  Grace  be  with  all  who  love 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  undying  love! 


PAUL’S  LETTER  TO  THE  PHILIPPIANS 


I 

Paul  and  Timothy,  servants  of  Christ  Jesus,  to  all  the  Holy 
in  Christ  Jesus  who  are  in  Philippi,  with  Bishops  and  Deacons: 

Grace  be  to  you  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

I  thank  my  God  for  all  your  remembrance  of  me,  always  in 
every  prayer  of  mine  for  you  all  making  request  with  joy  for 
your  fellowship  in  spreading  the  good  news  from  the  first  day 
until  now,  being  confident  of  this  very  thing,  that  he  who  has 
begun  the  good  work  in  you  will  carry  it  on  to  completion  on 
the  day  of  Christ  Jesus.  So  it  is  right  for  me  to  think  of  you  all, 
because  you  have  me  in  your  hearts,  and  in  my  chains  and  in  my 
defense  and  in  establishing  the  good  news  you  are  all  sharers  in 
my  privilege.  For  God  is  my  witness  how  much  I  long  for  you 
all  in  the  affections  of  Christ  Jesus.  And  this  is  my  prayer  that 
your  love  may  abound  more  and  more  in  knowledge  and  all 
insight,  so  that  you  may  discriminate  between  the  things  that 
differ,  that  you  may  be  pure  and  blameless  in  the  day  of  Christ, 
filled  with  the  fruit  of  knowledge  through  Jesus  Christ  to  the 
glory  and  praise  of  God. 

I  wish  you  to  know,  brethren,  that  my  affairs  have  turned 
out  rather  to  the  furtherance  of  the  good  news,  so  that  my 
chains  have  become  well  known  as  for  Christ  to  the  whole 
Praetorian  Guard  and  to  all  the  rest,  and  the  most  of  the  breth¬ 
ren  in  the  Lord,  made  confident  by  my  chains,  are  unusually 
brave  in  speaking  the  message  fearlessly.  Some  indeed  pro¬ 
claim  Christ  because  of  envy  and  rivalry,  some  also  because  of 
good  will.  Some  announce  Christ  from  love,  knowing  that  I  am 
placed  for  the  defense  of  the  good  news,  but  others  out  of 
partisanship,  thinking  to  add  distress  to  my  chains.  What  then? 
Still  in  every  way,  whether  in  pretense  or  in  truth,  Christ  is 
proclaimed  and  in  that  I  rejoice,  yes,  and  will  rejoice.  For  I 


LETTER  TO  THE  PHILIPPIANS 


333 


know  that  this  will  make  for  my  salvation  through  your  prayer 
and  the  supply  of  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  my 
earnest  expectation  and  hope  that  I  may  be  put  to  shame  in 
nothing,  but  with  all  courage,  as  always,  so  now  Christ  may  be 
honored  in  my  body,  whether  by  my  life  or  by  my  death. 

For  to  me  to  live  is  Christ  and  to  die  is  gain.  If  it  is  to  be 
life  in  the  flesh,  that  means  fruitful  work  for  me.  I  know  not 
which  to  choose.  I  am  under  pressure  both  ways,  having  the 
desire  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  for  it  is  far  better,  yet  that 
I  should  stay  in  the  flesh  is  more  needful  on  your  account.  And 
this  I  confidently  know,  that  I  shall  stay  and  stay  near  you  all 
for  your  advancement  and  joy  of  faith,  that  your  exultation 
in  Christ  Jesus  may  overflow  on  my  account,  because  of  my 
presence  again  with  you. 

Only  exercise  your  citizenship  in  a  manner  worthy  of  the 
good  news  of  Christ,  so  that,  whether  I  come  and  see  you  or  in 
absence  hear  news  of  you,  I  may  know  that  you  are  standing  in 
one  spirit,  with  one  mind  wrestling  in  the  faith  of  the  good  news 
and  not  frightened  in  anything  by  your  adversaries,  which  for 
them  is  a  sign  of  ruin,  but  for  you  of  salvation,  and  that  from 
God;  because  it  has  been  graciously  allowed  you  not  only  to 
believe  in  Christ  but  also  to  suffer  for  his  sake,  and  you  have 
the  same  struggle  that  you  saw  in  me  and  now  hear  of  in  me. 

II 

If  there  is  any  encouragement  in  Christ,  any  persuasive  power 
in  love,  any  fellowship  in  the  Spirit,  any  sympathies  and  com¬ 
passions,  fill  up  my  joy  by  having  the  same  love,  being  of  the 
same  mind,  thinking  the  same  thing,  doing  nothing  in  a  partisan 
or  vainglorious  way,  but  each  modestly  regarding  the  others  as 
of  more  account  than  himself.  Do  not  be  each  intent  on  his  own 
interests,  but  also  on  the  interests  of  others.  Let  this  mind  be  in 
you  which  was  also  in  Christ  Jesus,  who,  though  he  was  in  the 
form  of  God,  did  not  think  that  equality  with  God  was  some¬ 
thing  to  be  grasped,  but  emptied  himself,  taking  the  form  of  a 
servant  and  coming  into  the  likeness  of  men,  and  when  found  in 
the  condition  of  a  man  he  humbled  himself  by  becoming  obedi¬ 
ent  even  to  death  —  death  on  the  cross.  Therefore,  God  has 


334 


LETTER  TO  THE  PHILIPPIANS 


highly  exalted  him  and  has  graciously  given  him  the  name  which 
is  above  every  name,  that  at  the  name.of  Jesus  every  knee  may 
bow,  of  beings  in  heaven  and  those  on  earth  and  those  under 
the  earth,  and  every  tongue  confess  that  Jesus  Christ  is  Lord, 
to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father. 

So  then,  my  beloved,  as  you  have  always  obeyed,  not  in  my 
presence  only,  but  now  much  more  in  my  absence,  work  out 
your  own  salvation  with  reverence  and  awe.  For  it  is  God  who 
is  working  in  you  both  the  willing  and  the  doing  because  of 
his  kindness.  Do  everything  without  murmurings  or  disputings 
that  you  may  be  blameless  and  pure,  children  of  God,  spotless 
in  the  midst  of  a  crooked  and  perverse  generation  among  whom 
you  shine  as  lights  in  the  world,  holding  forth  the  message  of 
life,  so  that  on  the  day  of  Christ  I  can  boast  that  I  did  not  run 
in  vain  or  labor  in  vain.  But  if  I  am  poured  out  as  a  libation 
on  your  sacrificial  offering  of  faith,  I  rejoice  and  share  the  joy 
of  you  all.  In  the  same  way  you  must  rejoice  and  share  my  joy. 

But  I  hope  in  the  Lord  Jesus  to  send  Timothy  to  you  soon, 
that  I  may  be  cheered  by  knowing  about  you.  For  I  have  no 
one  likeminded  with  him  who  will  so  sincerely  care  for  your 
interests.  For  all  pursue  their  own  aims,  not  those  of  Christ 
Jesus.  But  you  know  how  he  has  been  tested  and  how  like  a 
child  with  a  father  he  has  served  with  me  in  spreading  the  good 
news.  So  I  hope  to  send  him  at  once  when  I  see  how  my  affairs 
are  going.  And  I  trust  in  the  Lord  that  I  myself  shall  come 
quickly.  I  think  it  necessary  to  send  to  you  Epaphroditus,  my 
brother  and  fellow  worker  and  fellow  soldier,  and  your  messen¬ 
ger  and  minister  to  my  needs,  since  he  longs  for  you  all  and  is 
troubled  because  you  have  heard  that  he  was  sick.  Indeed  he 
was  sick  and  near  to  death.  But  God  had  mercy  on  him,  and 
not  on  him  alone,  but  also  on  me,  that  I  might  not  have  sorrow 
upon  sorrow.  I  send  him  the  more  readily  that  you  may  see 
him  and  rejoice  again  and  I  be  less  sorrowful.  Receive  him  in 
the  Lord  with  all  joy  and  hold  such  men  in  honor,  because  for 
the  work  of  Christ  he  was  near  to  death,  hazarding  his  life  to 
complete  the  service  you  were  not  here  to  do  for  me. 


LETTER  TO  THE  PHILIPPIANS 


335 


III 

To  conclude,  my  brethren:  rejoice  in  the  Lord.  To  repeat  to 
you  the  same  things  is  not  tiresome  to  me  and  it  is  safe  for  you. 

Beware  of  the  dogs,  beware  of  the  bad  workmen,  beware  of 
the  excision.  For  we  are  the  circumcision,  we  who  worship  in  the 
Spirit  of  God  and  exult  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  have  no  confidence 
in  the  flesh,  though  I  have  ground  for  confidence  even  in  the 
flesh.  If  any  other  man  thinks  that  he  has  ground  for  confidence 
in  the  flesh,  I  have  more  —  circumcised  the  eighth  day,  of  the 
race  of  Israel,  of  the  tribe  of  Benjamin,  a  Hebrew  of  Hebrews, 
as  to  the  Law  a  Pharisee,  as  to  zeal  persecuting  the  church,  as  to 
the  righteousness  of  the  Law  blameless. 

But  the  things  that  were  gain  to  me,  those  I  have  counted 
loss  for  Christ.  Yes,  I  count  all  to  be  loss  because  of  the  sur¬ 
passing  worth  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord,  for 
whom  I  have  suffered  the  loss  of  all  things  and  count  them 
but  refuse,  that  I  may  gain  Christ  and  be  found  in  him,  not 
having  my  own  righteousness  that  was  from  the  Law,  but  that 
which  is  through  faith  in  Christ,  the  righteousness  which  comes 
from  God  and  rests  on  faith,  that  I  may  know  him  and  the 
power  of  his  resurrection  and  the  fellowship  of  his  sufferings, 
becoming  like  him  in  death,  if  possibly  I  may  attain  to  the 
resurrection  from  the  dead.  Not  that  I  have  already  obtained 
it  or  have  already  been  made  perfect,  but  I  press  on  to  lay  hold 
of  that  for  which  I  was  laid  hold  of  by  Christ  Jesus. 

Brethren,  I  do  not  consider  myself  yet  to  have  laid  hold  of 
it.  But  one  thing  I  do:  forgetting  what  is  behind  and  stretching 
forward  to  what  is  in  front  I  press  toward  the  goal  for  the  prize 
of  the  heavenly  call  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  Let  us  all  who  are 
full  grown  think  in  this  way.  If  in  anything  you  think  differ¬ 
ently,  even  that  God  will  reveal  to  you,  but  so  far  as  we  have 
attained  let  us  walk  in  the  same  path. 

Unite  in  imitating  me,  brethren,  and.  watch  those  who  are 
living  according  to  our  example.  For  many  are  living  as  I  used 
often  to  tell  you  and  now  say  even  weeping  that  they  are  ene¬ 
mies  of  the  cross  of  Christ.  Their  end  is  ruin,  their  God  is 
their  stomach,  their  glory  is  in  their  shame,  they  think  earthly 


336 


LETTER  TO  THE  PHILIPPIANS 


thoughts.  For  the  state  of  which  we  are  citizens  is  in  the  hea¬ 
vens  and  from  there  we  are  expecting  a  Savior,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  He  will  transform  the  body  we  have  in  our  low  estate 
into  the  likeness  of  the  body  he  has  in  glory  by  the  power  by 
which  he  can  subject  all  things  to  himself. 

IV 

So,  my  brethren  beloved  and  longed  for,  my  joy  and  crown, 
stand  firm  thus  in  the  Lord,  beloved.  I  beg  Euodia  and  I  beg 
Syntyche  to  be  of  the  same  mind  in  the  Lord.  Yes,  I  ask  you, 
true  yokefellow,  help  them,  since  they  struggled  in  spreading 
the  good  news  along  with  me  and  Clement  and  the  rest  of  my 
fellow  workers  whose  names  are  in  the  book  of  life. 

Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always.  Again  I  say  rejoice.  Let  your 
fairness  be  known  to  all  men.  The  Lord  is  near.  Do  not  worry, 
but  in  everything  by  prayer  and  entreaty  with  thanksgiving 
let  your  requests  be  made  known  to  God.  And  the  peace  of 
God  which  passes  all  understanding  will  guard  your  hearts 
and  your  thoughts  in  Christ  Jesus. 

To  conclude,  brethren,  whatever  is  true,  whatever  is  digni¬ 
fied,  whatever  is  just,  whatever  is  pure,  whatever  is  lovable, 
whatever  is  highly  spoken  of  —  if  there  is  any  virtue  or  any 
praise  —  think  of  that.  What  you  learned  and  accepted  and 
heard  and  saw  in  me  —  practice  that.  And  the  God  of  peace 
will  be  with  you. 

I  rejoiced  in  the  Lord  greatly  that  now  at  length  your 
thoughtfulness  for  me  had  revived.  You  were  thoughtful  for 
me  all  along,  but  lacked  opportunity.  Not  that  I  am  speaking 
because  of  want;  for  I  have  learned  how  to  be  content  in  what¬ 
ever  circumstances  I  am.  I  know  how  to  live  humbly  and  I 
know  how  to  enjoy  abundance.  In  each  and  every  situation 
I  have  been  initiated  into  the  secret  both  of  being  well  fed 
and  of  going  hungry,  both  of  having  abundance  and  of  bearing 
want.  I  can  do  all  things  through  him  who  gives  me  strength. 
Yet  you  did  nobly  in  sharing  with  me  in  my  distress.  You 
Philippians  know  that  at  the  beginning  of  the  good  news,  when 
I  came  away  from  Macedonia,  no  church  shared  with  me  in  the 
matter  of  giving  and  receiving  except  you  only,  and  that  in 


LETTER  TO  THE  PHILIPPIANS 


337 


Thessalonica  you  sent  once,  yes,  twice,  for  my  need.  Not 
that  I  am  seeking  for  the  gift,  but  I  am  seeking  for  the  fruit 
that  increases  to  your  credit.  I  have  enough  of  everything  and 
more  than  enough.  I  am  fully  supplied  since  receiving  from 
Epaphroditus  the  things  from  you,  a  fragrant  odor,  an  accept¬ 
able  sacrifice,  pleasing  to  God.  My  God  will  supply  every  need 
of  yours  according  to  his  wealth  in  glory  in  Christ  Jesus. 

To  God  our  Father  be  glory  for  the  ages  of  the  ages !  Amen. 

Greet  every  holy  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  The  brethren  with 
me  send  greetings  to  you.  All  the  holy  send  greetings  to  you, 
especially  those  of  Caesar’s  household. 

The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  your  spirits! 


PAUL’S  LETTER  TO  THE  COLOSSIANS 


i 

Paul,  an  apostle  of  Christ  Jesus  by  the  will  of  God,  and 
Timothy  our  brother,  to  the  holy  and  faithful  brethren  in 
Christ  in  Colossse: 

Grace  be  to  you  and  peace  from  God  our  Father! 

We  always  thank  God,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
in  praying  for  you,  because  we  have  heard  of  your  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus  and  the  love  that  you  have  to  all  the  holy  because 
of  the  hope  laid  up  for  us  in  heaven.  Of  this  you  have  already 
heard  in  the  true  message  of  the  good  news  which  has  come  to 
you.  Just  as  in  all  the  world  it  is  bearing  fruit  and  growing,  so 
also  it  is  among  you  since  the  day  that  you  heard  and  learned 
of  the  grace  of  God  in  truth.  So  you  learned  it  from  Epaphras, 
our  beloved  fellow  servant,  who  is  a  faithful  servant  of  Christ 
in  your  behalf,  and  who  has  told  us  of  your  love  in  the  Spirit. 

For  this  reason  we  also,  from  the  day  we  heard  it,  never 
cease  praying  for  you  and  asking  that  you  may  have  full  knowl¬ 
edge  of  his  will  in  all  wisdom  and  spiritual  insight,  and  that  you 
may  live  lives  worthy  of  the  Lord  and  please  him  in  every  way. 
May  you  bear  fruit  in  every  good  work  and  grow  in  the  knowl¬ 
edge  of  God.  May  you  be  strengthened  with  all  strength  ac¬ 
cording  to  his  glorious  power,  so  as  to  have  all  patience  and 
endurance.  May  you  joyfully  give  thanks  to  the  Father  who 
has  made  you  fit  to  share  in  the  inheritance  of  the  holy  in 
light.  He  has  saved  us  from  the  power  of  darkness  and  trans¬ 
ferred  us  into  the  kingdom  of  his  beloved  Son,  in  whom  we 
have  redemption,  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins.  He  is  the  image 
of  the  invisible  God,  the  first  born  of  all  creation;  for  in  him 
were  created  all  things  in  heaven  and  on  earth,  both  visible 
and  invisible,  whether  thrones  or  lordships  or  archangels  or 
powers  —  all  things  have  been  created  through  him  and  for 
him,  and  he  is  before  all  things  and  in  him  all  things  unite. 


LETTER  TO  THE  COLOSSIANS 


339 


And  he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church.  He  is  the  begin¬ 
ning,  the  firstborn  from  the  dead,  that  he  may  be  first  in  all 
things,  because  it  pleased  God  to  have  all  his  fullness  dwell  in 
him  and  to  reconcile  all  things  to  himself  through  him,  mak¬ 
ing  peace  through  the  blood  of  his  cross  —  all  things,  I  say, 
whether  on  earth  or  in  heaven.  And  you  who  were  once  alien¬ 
ated  and  enemies  in  your  minds,  living  in  wicked  works,  he 
has  reconciled  by  his  body  of  flesh  through  death,  to  present 
you  holy  and  spotless  and  blameless  before  him,  if  you  remain 
in  the  faith,  firm  and  steadfast,  never  moving  from  the  hope  of 
the  good  news  which  you  have  heard  and  which  has  been  pro¬ 
claimed  in  all  the  creation  under  heaven,  and  of  which  I,  Paul, 
became  a  servant. 

Now  I  rejoice  in  what  I  suffer  for  your  sake,  and  in  my  turn 
am  filling  up  in  my  flesh  what  was  lacking  in  the  afflictions  of 
Christ  for  the  sake  of  his  body,  that  is,  the  church.  I  became  a 
servant  of  the  church  according  to  the  commission  from  God 
given  to  me  for  you,  to  deliver  fully  God’s  message,  the  mystery 
hidden  for  ages  and  generations  but  now  made  plain  to  his 
holy  ones,  to  whom  God  willed  to  make  known  what  is  the 
glorious  wealth  of  this  mystery  among  the  Gentiles,  which  is 
Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  glory.  And  we  are  announcing  him, 
warning  every  man  and  teaching  every  man  in  all  wisdom  in 
order  that  we  may  present  every  man  complete  in  Christ.  For 
this  also  I  labor,  wrestling  with  the  energy  of  him  who  works 
powerfully  within  me. 


II 

For  I  wish  you  to  know  how  I  am  wrestling  for  you  and  for 
those  in  Laodicea  and  for  all  who  have  not  seen  my  face  in  the 
flesh,  that  your  hearts  may  be  encouraged  and  that  joined 
together  in  love  you  may  reach  all  the  wealth  of  the  full  assur¬ 
ance  of  insight  into  the  knowledge  of  the  mystery  of  God,  which 
is  Christ.  In  him  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge 
lie  hidden.  I  say  this  that  no  one  may  deceive  you  by  plausible 
arguments.  For  even  though  I  am  absent  in  the  flesh,  yet  in 
the  spirit  I  am  with  you,  rejoicing  to  see  your  good  order  and 
the  firmness  of  your  faith  in  Christ. 


340 


LETTER  TO  THE  COLOSSIANS 


Since,  then,  you  have  received  Christ  Jesus  as  Lord,  live  in 
him,  rooted  and  built  up  in  him,  growing  strong  in  the  faith 
as  you  have  been  taught,  and  overflowing  with  thanksgiving. 
Beware  that  no  one  carries  you  away  captive  by  his  philosophy 
and  empty  deceit  according  to  the  tradition  of  men,  according 
to  the  elementary  teachings  of  the  world  and  not  according  to 
Christ.  For  in  him  dwells  all  the  fullness  of  God  in  bodily  form, 
and  you  have  been  filled  in  him.  He  is  the  head  of  every  arch¬ 
angel  and  authority.  In  him  you  were  circumcised  with  a  cir¬ 
cumcision  not  done  by  hands,  by  laying  aside  your  fleshly  body 
in  the  circumcision  of  Christ.  You  were  buried  with  him  in 
baptism  and  raised  again  through  faith  in  the  inworking  of 
God  who  raised  him  from  the  dead.  You  who  were  dead  in 
your  sins  and  in  the  uncircumcision  of  your  flesh  God  has  made 
alive  with  him,  and  has  forgiven  us  all  our  sins.  He  erased  the 
writing  that  was  against  us  in  the  rules,  the  writing  that  was 
opposed  to  us.  He  has  taken  it  out  of  the  way  by  nailing  it  to 
his  cross.  He  despoiled  the  archangels  and  authorities  and 
fearlessly  made  an  example  of  them  when  he  triumphed  over 
them  on  the  cross. 

Let  no  one  then  judge  you  in  the  matter  of  food  or  drink  or  in 
regard  to  a  festival  or  new  moon  or  Sabbath.  These  were  a 
shadow  of  coming  things,  but  the  body  is  Christ’s.  Let  no  one 
as  umpire  defraud  you  of  your  prize,  if  he  delights  in  excessive 
humility  and  ceremonial  worship  of  the  angels,  searching  into 
his  own  visions,  emptily  puffed  up  by  his  fleshly  mind  and  not 
holding  to  the  Head,  from  whom  the  whole  body,  supplied  and 
held  together  by  joints  and  bands,  grows  as  God  gives  it  growth. 

If  you  died  with  Christ  to  the  elementary  teachings  of  the 
world,  why  do  you,  as  if  still  living  in  the  world,  have  such 
rules  as,  “Do  not  touch,”  “Do  not  taste,”  “Do  not  handle”  — 
referring  to  things  that  perish  when  used?  These  rules  follow 
the  commandments  and  teachings  of  men.  They  have  an 
appearance  of  wisdom  in  self-imposed  ceremonial  and  excessive 
humility  and  severity  to  the  body,  but  have  no  value  against 
the  indulgence  of  the  flesh. 


LETTER  TO  THE  COLOSSIANS 


341 


III 

If  then  you  have  been  raised  with  Christ,  seek  the  things 
above,  where  Christ  is  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God.  Have 
your  minds  on  the  things  above  and  not  on  the  things  on  the 
earth.  For  you  have  died  and  your  life  is  hidden  with  Christ  in 
God.  When  Christ,  our  life,  appears,  then  you  also  will  appear 
with  him  in  glory. 

Treat  the  members  of  your  earthly  bodies  as  dead  —  dead  to 
unchastity,  impurity,  passion,  evil  desire,  and  avarice,  which  is 
idolatry.  On  account  of  these  things  comes  the  wrath  of  God. 
To  them  you  also  were  once  habituated  when  you  lived  in 
them.  But  now  you  also  must  put  away  all  wrath,  anger, 
malice,  abusive  language.  Vile  talk  must  not  be  in  your  mouths. 
Do  not  lie  to  one  another.  You  have  stripped  off  the  old  self 
with  his  practices  and  have  clothed  yourselves  with  the  new 
self,  which  is  being  renewed  into  knowledge  in  the  image  of  its 
Creator.  Here  there  is  no  Greek  or  Jew,  circumcision  or  uncir¬ 
cumcision,  barbarian,  Scythian,  slave  or  freeman,  but  Christ  is 
all  and  in  all. 

Put  on,  then,  as  the  chosen  of  God,  holy  and  beloved,  sym¬ 
pathies,  compassions,  kindness,  humility,  gentleness,  slowness 
to  anger,  bearing  with  one  another  and  forgiving  one  another, 
if  any  one  has  a  grievance  against  any.  Just  as  the  Lord  forgave 
you,  so  must  you  forgive.  Above  all  these,  clothe  yourselves 
with  love,  which  is  the  perfect  bond  of  union.  Let  the  peace  of 
Christ  be  umpire  in  your  hearts.  For  this  you  were  called 
into  one  body.  And  be  thankful.  The  message  of  Christ  must 
dwell  in  you  richly,  as  you  teach  in  all  wisdom  and  admonish 
one  another  with  psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs  and 
sing  with  grace  in  your  hearts  to  God.  And  whatever  you  do 
in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  giving 
thanks  to  God  the  Father  through  him. 

Wives,  be  in  subjection  to  your  husbands,  as  is  fitting  in  the 
Lord.  Husbands,  love  your  wives  and  do  not  be  harsh  toward 
them.  Children,  obey  your  parents  in  everything,  for  this  is 
pleasing  in  the  Lord.  Fathers,  do  not  irritate  your  children, 
for  they  may  lose  heart.  Slaves,  obey  in  everything  your  mas- 


342 


LETTER  TO  THE  COLOSSIANS 


ters  in  the  flesh,  not  with  eye-service  as  men-pleasers,  but 
in  sincerity  of  heart,  because  you  reverence  the  Lord.  What¬ 
ever  you  do,  do  it  heartily  as  for  the  Lord  and  not  for  men,  for 
you  know  that  from  the  Lord  you  will  receive  the  reward  of  the 
inheritance.  You  are  slaves  to  the  Lord  Christ.  He  who  does 
wrong  will  be  repaid  for  the  wrong  he  has  done,  and  there  is  no 
partiality. 


IV 

Masters,  give  to  your  slaves  what  is  just  and  equal,  for  you 
know  that  you  have  a  Master  in  heaven. 

Be  earnest  and  constant  in  prayer.  Be  thankfully  watchful 
in  it.  Pray  along  with  us  and  for  us  that  God  may  open  for  us 
a  door  for  the  message,  so  that  I  may  tell  the  mystery  of  Christ 
for  the  sake  of  which  I  am  in  chains  —  so  that  I  may  make  it 
clear,  as  I  ought.  Behave  wisely  towards  outsiders,  buying 
up  the  opportunity.  Let  what  you  say  be  always  with 
grace,  seasoned  with  salt.  Know  how  you  should  answer 
each  one. 

Tychicus,  the  beloved  brother  and  faithful  worker  and  fel¬ 
low  servant  in  the  Lord,  will  tell  you  everything  about  me. 
I  am  sending  him  to  you  for  this  very  purpose,  that  you  may 
know  my  situation  and  that  he  may  encourage  your  hearts. 
And  with  him  I  am  sending  Onesimus,  the  faithful  and  beloved 
brother,  who  is  one  of  you.  They  will  vtell  you  all  about  affairs 
here. 

Aristarchus,  my  fellow  prisoner,  sends  his  greetings,  and  so 
does  Mark,  the  cousin  of  Barnabas  (you  have  received  letters 
about  him;  if  he  comes,  welcome  him),  and  so  does  Jesus  who 
is  called  Justus.  These  alone  of  those  who  are  circumcised  are 
my  fellow  workers  for  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  they  have  been 
a  comfort  to  me. 

Epaphras,  the  servant  of  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  one  of  you, 
sends  his  greetings  to  you.  He  always  wrestles  in  prayer  on 
your  behalf  that  you  may  stand  mature  and  fully  assured  in  all 
the  will  of  God.  I  bear  witness  to  the  burden  that  he  carries  for 
you  and  for  those  in  Laodicea  and  those  in  Hierapolis.  Luke, 
the  beloved  physician,  and  Demas  send  you  their  greetings. 


LETTER  TO  THE  COLOSSIANS  343 

Give  our  greeting  to  the  brethren  in  Laodicea  and  to  Nympha 
and  the  church  that  meets  in  her  house. 

When  this  letter  has  been  read  among  you,  have  it  read  in 
the  church  of  the  Laodiceans,  and  you  are  to  read  the  letter 
that  will  come  from  Laodicea. 

Say  to  Archippus,  See  to  it  that  you  fully  perform  the 
service  which  you  have  accepted  in  the  Lord. 

The  greeting  of  Paul,  by  my  own  hand.  Remember  my 
chains.  Grace  be  with  you. 


PAUL’S  FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE 
THESSALONIANS 


i 

Paul  and  Silvanus  and  Timothy,  to  the  Church  of  the  Thes- 
salonians  in  God  the  Father  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ: 

Grace  to  you  and  peace. 

We  thank  God  always  for  you  all  when  we  mention  you  in 
our  prayers,  unceasingly  remembering  your  work  of  faith  and 
labor  of  love  and  patience  of  hope  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
before  God  our  Father.  We  know,  brethren  beloved  by  God, 
that  he  has  chosen  you  and  that  our  good  news  came  to  you 
not  in  word  only  but  in  power  and  in  the  Holy  Spirit  and  in 
great  assurance,  just  as  you  know  we  acted  among  you  for  your 
benefit.  You  became  imitators  of  us  and  of  the  Lord,  receiving 
the  message  in  great  affliction  with  joy  which  the  Holy  Spirit 
gave,  so  that  you  became  a  pattern  for  all  believers  in  Mace¬ 
donia  and  in  Achaia.  For  the  message  of  the  Lord  sounded 
forth  from  you  not  only  in  Macedonia  and  Achaia,  but  in 
every  place  your  faith  toward  God  has  gone  abroad,  so  that 
there  is  no  need  for  us  to  speak  a  word.  For  the  people  them¬ 
selves  are  telling  about  us,  what  a  reception  we  had  with  you, 
and  how  you  turned  to  God  from  idols,  to  serve  the  living  and 
true  God  and  to  wait  for  his  Son  from  heaven  —  his  Son  Jesus 
whom  he  raised  from  the  dead  and  who  is  saving  us  from  the 
coming  wrath. 


II 

You  yourselves  know,  brethren,  what  a  reception  we  had  from 
you,  that  it  was  not  without  result,  but  after  we  had  suffered 
and  been  roughly  treated,  as  you  know,  in  Philippi,  we  made 
bold  in  our  God  to  speak  to  you  the  good  news  of  God  with 
great  wrestling.  For  our  appeal  springs  not  from  deception, 
nor  from  impure  motives,  nor  from  cunning,  but  as  we  have 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE  THESS ALONI AN S  345 


been  approved  by  God  to  be  entrusted  with  the  good  news,  so 
we  speak,  not  as  if  we  were  pleasing  men,  but  God,  who  tests  our 
hearts.  Nor  did  we  ever  fall  into  flattering  talk,  as  you  know, 
nor  use  any  pretext  for  self-enrichment  —  God  is  witness  — 
nor  did  we  seek  glory  from  men,  either  from  you  or  others, 
although  we  could  have  claimed  the  dignity  of  Christ’s  apostles. 
But  we  became  gentle  in  the  midst  of  you  like  a  nursing 
mother  cherishing  her  own  children.  Yearning  over  you  so,  we 
would  gladly  have  imparted  to  you  not  only  God’s  good  news 
but  our  own  lives  as  well,  because  you  had  become  dear  to  us. 

For  you  remember,  brethren,  our  toil  and  labor  as  we 
worked  night  and  day  so  as  not  to  burden  any  one  of  you  while 
we  proclaimed  to  you  the  good  news  of  God.  You  are  witnesses 
—  and  God  is  witness  —  how  purely  and  justly  and  blamelessly 
we  acted  toward  you  who  believe.  You  know  that  just  like  a 
father  toward  his  own  children  we  encouraged  each  one  of  you, 
and  warned  and  conjured  you  to  live  lives  worthy  of  the  God 
who  is  calling  you  into  his  own  kingdom  and  glory. 

For  this  reason  we  unceasingly  give  thanks  to  God  that 
when  you  received  from  us  the  report  of  the  message  of  God 
you  accepted  it  not  as  the  message  of  men,  but,  as  it  truly  is, 
the  message  of  God,  which  also  is  doing  its  work  in  you  who 
believe.  For  you  became  imitators,  brethren,  of  the  churches 
of  God  that  are  in  Judaea  in  Christ  Jesus,  because  you  too 
suffered  the  same  things  from  your  fellow  countrymen  that 
they  did  from  the  Jews,  who  killed  both  the  Lord  Jesus  and  the 
prophets,  and  drove  us  out  and  do  not  please  God  and  are 
enemies  to  all  men,  trying  to  prevent  us  from  speaking  to  the 
Gentiles  so  that  they  may  be  saved.  All  this  goes  always  to  fill 
up  the  measure  of  their  sins.  But  God’s  fiercest  wrath  has 
overtaken  them. 

But  we,  brethren,  when  bereft  of  you  for  a  little  while,  out  of 
sight  not  out  of  mind,  endeavored  more  earnestly  to  see  your 
faces,  with  great  longing.  For  that  reason  we  determined  to 
come  to  you,  yes,  I,  Paul,  more  than  once:  but  Satan  hindered 
us.  For  what  is  our  hope  or  joy  or  crown  to  boast  of  before  our 
Lord  Jesus  at  his  coming?  Is  it  not  you?  You  are  our  glory 
and  joy. 


346  FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE  THESSALONIANS 


III 

So  when  we  could  no  longer  endure  the  anxiety,  we  chose  to  be 
left  at  Athens  alone  and  sent  Timothy,  our  brother  and  God’s 
servant  in  the  good  news  of  Christ,  to  strengthen  and  encourage 
you  in  your  faith,  that  no  one  might  be  disturbed  in  these  trials. 
For  you  yourselves  know  that  we  are  destined  to  this.  For 
when  we  were  with  you  we  told  you  in  advance,  “  We  shall  soon 
have  trouble.”  And  so  it  came  to  pass,  as  you  know. 

Therefore,  when  I  could  no  longerendure  the  anxiety,  I  sent 
to  know  about  your  faith  for  fear  that  the  tempter  had  tempted 
you  and  our  labor  had  gone  for  nothing.  But  now  that  Timothy 
has  come  to  us  from  you  and  has  brought  us  good  news  of  your 
faith  and  love,  and  that  you  always  keep  us  well  in  mind  and 
long  to  see  us,  just  as  we  long  to  see  you,  we  have  been  cheered, 
brethren,  in  regard  to  you,  in  all  our  straits  and  distresses  by 
your  faith.  Now  we  are  living,  since  you  are  standing  firm  in 
the  Lord.  For  how  can  we  be  grateful  enough  to  God  for  you 
in  view  of  all  the  joy  we  have  because  of  you,  while  we  pray 
beyond  measure  night  and  day  that  we  may  see  your  faces  and 
make  good  whatever  lacks  there  may  be  in  your  faith? 

May  our  God  and  Father  himself  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
open  the  way  for  us  to  come  to  you.  The  Lord  make  you  to 
abound  and  overflow  in  love  toward  one  another  and  toward 
all  men,  just  as  we  do  toward  you,  that  your  hearts  may  be 
made  firm  and  you  may  be  blameless  in  holiness  before  our 
God  and  Father  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  with  all  his 
holy  ones. 


IV 

To  conclude,  brethren,  we  beg  of  you  and  urge  you  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  that,  as  you  learned  from  us  how  you  ought  to  live  to 
please  God,  and  are  living,  you  will  excel  still  more.  For  you 
know  what  directions  we  have  given  you  through  the  Lord 
Jesus.  For  this  is  the  will  of  God :  to  have  you  become  holy  and 
have  you  shun  unchastity;  to  have  each  of  you  know  how  to 
take  a  wife  for  himself  in  holiness  and  honor,  not  in  the  passion 
of  lust,  as  the  Gentiles  do  who  know  not  God ;  to  have  no  one 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE  THESSALONIANS  347 


trespass  or  take  advantage  of  his  brother  in  this  matter;  for  the 
Lord  is  the  punisher  of  all  such,  as  we  have  already  told  you 
and  solemnly  warned  you.  God  has  not  called  us  to  live  in 
impurity,  but  in  holiness.  Therefore  he  who  disregards  this  dis¬ 
regards  not  man,  but  God,  who  gives  his  Holy  Spirit  to  you. 

Regarding  brotherly  love  you  have  no  need  for  me  to  write 
to  you.  For  you  yourselves  have  been  taught  by  God  to  love 
one  another,  and  you  do  the  same  to  all  the  brethren  in  the 
whole  of  Macedonia.  But  we  urge  you,  brethren,  to  excel  still 
further  and  to  be  ambitious  to  lead  a  quiet  life  and  to  mind 
each  his  own  business  and  to  work  with  your  hands,  as  we 
instructed  you.  Thus  you  will  live  becomingly  in  the  sight  of 
outsiders  and  will  have  need  of  nothing. 

We  do  not  wish  you  to  be  ignorant,  brethren,  regarding  those 
who  are  sleeping,  that  you  may  not  sorrow  as  the  rest  of  men 
who  have  no  hope.  For  since,  as  we  believe,  Jesus  died  and  rose, 
so  too  God  will  through  Jesus  bring  with  him  those  who  have 
fallen  asleep.  This  we  tell  you  by  the  word  of  the  Lord:  We, 
the  living,  who  have  been  left  until  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  will 
not  have  the  start  of  those  who  have  fallen  asleep.  For  the 
Lord  himself  will  descend  from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the 
voice  of  an  archangel  and  with  God’s  trumpet-call,  and  first 
the  dead  in  Christ  will  rise.  Then  we,  the  living,  who  are  left, 
will  be  caught  up  along  with  them  into  the  clouds  to  meet  the 
Lord  in  the  air.  And  thus  we  shall  forever  be  with  the  Lord. 
Bo  encourage  one  another  with  these  words. 

V 

But  regarding  times  and  dates,  brethren,  you  do  not  need  to 
have  me  write  to  you.  For  you  yourselves  know  perfectly  that 
the  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  like  a  thief  in  the  night.  When 
they  are  saying,  “Peace  and  safety,”  then  sudden  destruction 
is  upon  them,  like  the  pangs  upon  a  woman  with  child,  and 
they  will  not  escape.  But  you,  brethren,  are  not  in  darkness  so 
that  the  day  can  take  you  like  a  thief.  You  are  all  sons  of  light 
and  sons  of  day.  We  do  not  belong  to  night  or  to  darkness. 

Then  let  us  not  be  sleeping  like  the  rest  of  men,  but  let  us 
watch  and  be  sober.  For  those  who  sleep  sleep  in  the  night  and 


348  FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE  THESSALONIANS 


those  who  drink  drink  in  the  night.  But  let  us  who  are  of  the 
day  be  sober.  Let  us  put  on  the  breastplate  of  faith  and  love 
and  for  a  helmet  the  hope  of  salvation.  For  God  has  not  des¬ 
tined  us  to  wrath,  but  to  the  winning  of  salvation  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  died  for  us  that  whether  we  are 
waking  or  sleeping  we  may  live  in  company  with  him.  There¬ 
fore  encourage  one  another  and  build  up  one  another,  as  indeed 
you  are  doing. 

We  beg  you,  brethren,  to  regard  those  who  are  laboring 
among  you  and  who  preside  over  you  in  the  Lord  and  give  you 
counsel,  and  to  esteem  them  very  highly  in  love  on  account  of 
their  work.  Be  at  peace  among  yourselves.  We  urge  you, 
brethren,  to  warn  the  disorderly,  encourage  the  faint-hearted, 
help  the  weak,  be  patient  with  all.  Take  care  that  no  one 
repays  evil  with  evil,  but  always  seek  eagerly  what  is  good  in 
dealing  with  one  another  and  with  every  one.  Always  be  joyful. 
Pray  without  ceasing.  In  everything  give  thanks,  for  this  is 
God’s  will  in  Christ  for  you.  Do  not  quench  the  Spirit.  Do 
not  despise  prophecies.  Test  all  things;  hold  fast  the  good. 
Avoid  every  kind  of  evil. 

May  the  God  of  peace  himself  make  you  completely  holy, 
and  may  your  spirits  and  souls  and  bodies  be  kept  faultless 
and  blameless  for  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  is 
faithful  who  calls  you  and  he  will  do  it. 

Brethren,  pray  for  us. 

Greet  all  the  brethren  with  a  holy  kiss.  I  solemnly  charge 
you  in  the  Lord’s  name  to  have  this  letter  read  to  all  the 
brethren. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you. 


PAUL’S  SECOND  LETTER  TO  THE 
THESSALONIANS 


i 

Paul  and  Silvanus  and  Timothy  to  the  Church  of  the  Thes- 
salonians  in  God  our  Father  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ: 

Grace  to  you  and  peace  from  God  the  Father  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

We  ought  always  to  thank  God  for  you,  brethren,  as  is  fit¬ 
ting,  since  your  faith  is  growing  greatly  and  the  love  of  each 
and  all  of  you  toward  one  another  is  increasing,  so  that  we  our¬ 
selves  glory  in  you  among  the  churches  of  God  because  of  your 
endurance  and  faith  in  all  of  your  persecutions  and  in  the  dis¬ 
tresses  you  are  bearing.  This  is  a  proof  of  God’s  righteous 
judgment.  It  is  to  make  you  worthy  of  God’s  kingdom,  on 
behalf  of  which  you  are  suffering,  since  it  is  just  on  God’s  part 
to  repay  with  trouble  those  who  are  troubling  you,  and  to  repay 
to  you,  who  are  being  troubled,  rest  with  us  at  the  revelation 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  from  heaven  with  his  mighty  angels.  With 
flaming  fire  he  will  inflict  vengeance  on  those  who  do  not  know 
God  and  do  not  obey  the  good  news  of  our  Lord  Jesus.  They 
will  suffer  the  penalty  of  eternal  destruction  and  be  sent  away 
from  the  face  of  the  Lord  and  from  his  glorious  power,  when  he 
comes  to  be  glorified  among  his  holy  ones  and  to  be  wondered 
at  on  that  day  among  all  believers  —  for  our  testimony  to  you 
was  believed. 

To  this  end  we  are  always  praying  for  you  that  our  God  will 
make  you  worthy  of  the  call,  and  will  by  his  power  bring  to 
completion  every  one  of  your  kind  purposes  and  works  of 
faith,  that  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  may  be  glorified  in  you, 
according  to  the  grace  of  our  God  and  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

II 

With  regard  to  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  our 
being  gathered  to  meet  him,  I  beg  you,  brethren,  not  to  be 


350  SECOND  LETTER  TO  THE  THESS ALONI AN S 


quickly  unsettled  in  mind  nor  excited  by  either  a  revelation  or 
by  a  message  or  a  letter  supposed  to  be  from  us,  to  the  effect  that 
the  day  of  the  Lord  is  close  at  hand.  Let  no  one  lead  you  astray 
in  any  way,  because  it  will  not  come  until  the  Apostasy  has 
first  come  and  the  Man  of  Lawlessness  has  been  revealed  — • 
the  Son  of  Perdition,  who  opposes  and  exalts  himself  above 
everything  called  God  and  every  object  of  worship,  so  that  he 
enters  the  Temple  of  God  and  seats  himself  there,  declaring 
that  he  himself  is  God. 

Do  you  not  remember  that  while  I  was  still  with  you  I  used 
to  tell  you  this?  And  now  you  know  what  is  restraining  him 
until  he  is  revealed  at  his  appointed  time.  For  the  mystery 
of  lawlessness  is  already  working,  only  there  is  just  now  one 
who  is  restraining  it  until  he  passes  out  of  the  way.  And  then 
the  Lawless  One  will  be  revealed.  But  the  Lord  Jesus  will 
sweep  him  away  with  the  breath  of  his  mouth  and  will  make 
him  powerless  by  the  splendor  of  his  coming.  For  his  coming 
will  be  when'Satan  is  active  in  every  sort  of  power  and  in  false 
signs  and  wonders  and  in  every  kind  of  wicked  deception  of 
those  who  are  perishing,  because  they  did  not  receive  the  love 
of  the  truth  so  that  they  might  be  saved.  For  this  reason  God 
sends  to  them  a  deceptive  influence  so  that  they  believe  a  lie, 
that  all  who  have  not  believed  the  truth  but  have  delighted  in 
wickedness  may  be  condemned. 

We  ought  always  to  thank  God  for  you,  brethren,  beloved 
by  the  Lord,  because  God  chose  you  from  the  beginning  for 
salvation  through  the  Spirit’s  making  you  holy  and  your  own 
faith  in  the  truth.  To  this  he  called  you  through  the  good  news 
that  we  brought,  so  that  you  may  share  the  glory  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

Now  then,  brethren,  stand  firm  and  hold  fast  the  teachings 
that  you  have  been  taught  whether  by  our  words  or  by  our  letter. 
May  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself  and  God  our  Father,  who 
loved  us  and  gave  us  eternal  encouragement  and  good  hope 
through  grace,  encourage  your  hearts  and  make  you  strong  in 
every  good  word  and  work. 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  THE  THESSALONIANS  351 


HI 

In  conclusion,  brethren,  pray  for  us,  that  the  Lord’s  message 
may  run  and  be  glorified,  as  among  you,  and  that  we  may  be 
saved  from  the  unreasonable  and  wicked  men,  for  faith  does 
not  belong  to  all.  But  the  Lord  is  faithful  and  he  will  strengthen 
you  and  guard  you  from  evil.  We  are  persuaded  in  the  Lord 
in  regard  to  you  that  you  are  doing  and  will  do  what  we  direct. 
The  Lord  guide  your  hearts  in  the  love  of  God  and  the  patience 
of  Christ. 

We  charge  you,  brethren,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  to  stand  aloof  from  every  brother  who  is  living  in  a 
disorderly  way  and  not  according  to  the  teaching  that  you 
received  from  us.  For  you  yourselves  know  that  you  should 
imitate  us,  for  we  were  not  disorderly  when  among  you,  nor 
did  we  eat  bread  with  any  one  without  paying,  but  with  labor 
and  toil  night  and  day  we  worked  in  order  not  to  burden  any 
one  of  you.  Not  that  we  have  not  the  authority,  but  in  order 
to  give  you  ourselves  as  an  example  for  you  to  imitate.  For 
when  we  were  with  you  we  gave  you  this  command,  “If  any 
one  will  not  work,  neither  is  he  to  eat.”  For  we  hear  that  some 
among  you  are  leading  disorderly  lives,  busy  about  nothing  and 
yet  busybodies.  Such  we  command  and  urge  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  to  work  quietly  and  eat  their  own  bread. 

But  you,  brethren,  must  not  become  discouraged  in  doing 
well.  If  any  one  does  not  obey  our  words  in  this  letter,  mark 
that  man  and  do  not  associate  with  him,  so  that  he  may  be 
ashamed.  Yet  do  not  regard  him  as  an  enemy,  but  warn  him 
as  a  brother.  The  Lord  of  peace  himself  give  you  peace  at  all 
times  in  all  ways.  The  Lord  be  with  you  all. 

The  greeting  of  Paul  by  my  own  hand,  which  is  the  sign  in 
every  letter.  This  is  my  handwriting.  The  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  be  with  all  of  you. 


PAUL’S  FIRST  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 


i 

Paul,  an  apostle  of  Christ  Jesus  by  the  appointment  of  God, 
our  Savior,  and  Christ  Jesus  our  hope,  to  Timothy  my  true 
child  in  faith : 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  the  Father  and  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord. 

As  I  begged  you  to  stay  in  Ephesus  when  I  was  leaving  for 
Macedonia,  that  you  might  charge  some  not  to  teach  new  and 
strange  doctrines  nor  give  attention  to  myths  and  endless 
genealogies,  which  promote  disputes  rather  than  God’s  plan 
in  the  faith,  so  I  beg  you  now.  The  aim  of  the  commandment 
is  love  out  of  a  pure  heart  and  a  good  conscience  and  a  sincere 
faith.  Some  missing  these  have  turned  aside  to  empty  talk, 
wishing  to  be  teachers  of  the  Law,  but  not  understanding  either 
what  they  are  saying  or  what  the  things  are  that  they  are  so 
positive  about. 

We  know  that  the  Law  is  excellent,  if  any  one  uses  it  law¬ 
fully.  But  we  know  this:  that  law  is  not  laid  down  for  a 
righteous  man,  but  for  the  lawless  and  the  insubordinate,  the 
ungodly  and  sinners,  the  unholy  and  profane,  for  murderers 
of  fathers  and  murderers  of  mothers,  for  manslayers,  for  the 
unchaste,  for  those  who  practice  unnatural  vices,  for  slave- 
dealers,  liars,  perjurers,  and  for  whatever  else  is  contrary  to 
wholesome  teaching  such  as  accords  with  the  glorious  good 
news  of  the  blessed  God,  with  which  I  have  been  entrusted. 

I  thank  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord  who  has  given  me  strength, 
because  he  thought  me  faithful  and  put  me  into  his  service, 
though  before  that  I  spoke  profanely  and  was  a  persecutor  and 
insolent  in  outrages.  But  I  received  mercy  because  I  did  it 
ignorantly  in  unbelief.  And  the  grace  of  our  Lord  overflowed 
in  me  with  faith  and  love  in  Christ  Jesus.  The  saying  is  trust¬ 
worthy  and  deserving  of  full  acceptance  that  “Christ  Jesus 


353 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 

came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners/’  of  whom  I  am  the  fore¬ 
most.  But  I  received  mercy  for  this  reason,  that  in  me,  as  the 
foremost,  Jesus  Christ  might  show  all  of  his  long-suffering  for 
an  example  for  those  who  are  to  believe  in  him  and  gain  life 
eternal.  To  the  King  of  the  ages,  the  immortal,  invisible,  only 
God,  be  honor  and  glory  for  the  ages  of  the  ages!  Amen. 

This  command  I  lay  down  for  you,  my  child  Timothy,  in 
accordance  with  the  prophecies  that  came  in  advance  regarding 
you,  in  order  that  armed  with  them  you  may  wage  the  noble 
war,  holding  to  faith  and  a  good  conscience,  which  some  have 
cast  aside  and  thus  made  shipwreck  of  their  faith.  Among 
these  are  Hymenseus  and  Alexander,  whom  I  have  handed 
over  to  Satan,  that  they  may  learn  not  to  speak  profanely. 

II 

I  beg,  then,  first  of  all,  that  petitions,  prayers,  supplications, 
and  thanksgivings  be  made  in  behalf  of  all  men,  in  behalf  of 
kings  and  all  who  are  in  authority,  that  we  may  lead  a  quiet 
and  peaceful  life  in  all  piety  and  sobriety.  This  is  excellent  and 
pleasing  in  the  sight  of  God,  our  Savior,  who  wishes  all  men 
to  be  saved  and  to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  For  ♦ 
there  is  one  God  and  one  Mediator  between  God  and  men, 
himself  man,  Christ  Jesus,  who  gave  himself  as  a  ransom  for 
all,  a  fact  to  be  witnessed  to  at  the  fitting  time.  To  this  I  was 
appointed  a  herald  and  an  apostle  —  I  am  telling  the  truth, 

I  am  not  lying  —  a  teacher  of  Gentiles  in  faith  and  truth. 

I  wish,  then,  that  the  men  offer  prayer  in  every  place,  lifting 
up  holy  hands  without  wrath  or  debate.  Also  that  the  women 
adorn  themselves  in  becoming  dress  modestly  and  discreetly, 
not  with  braided  hair  or  gold  or  pearls  or  costly  clothes,  but  — 
as  is  becoming  for  women  professing  piety  —  with  good  deeds. 

A  woman  is  to  learn  in  all  subjection.  I  do  not  permit  a 
woman  to  teach  or  to  usurp  authority  over  a  man,  but  she 
must  remain  silent.  Adam  was  first  formed,  then  Eve.  And 
Adam  was  not  deceived ;  the  woman  was  deceived  and  fell  into 
sin.  But  they  will  be  saved  through  child-bearing,  if  they 
continue  in  faith  and  love  and  holiness  with  self-control. 


354 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 


III 

The  saying  is  trustworthy:  “If  any  one  aspires  to  the  office  of 
a  bishop,  he  desires  a  noble  work.”  A  bishop,  then,  should  be 
above  reproach,  true  to  one  woman,  temperate,  self-controlled, 
dignified,  hospitable,  with  a  gift  for  teaching,  not  given  to  wine 
or  to  blows,  but  fair-minded,  averse  to  strife,  not  a  lover  of 
money,  presiding  well  over  his  own  house,  with  children 
obedient  and  respectful.  But  if  any  one  does  not  know  how  to 
preside  over  his  own  house,  how  will  he  take  care  of  the  church 
of  God?  He  must  not  be  a  new  convert,  for  fear  he  may  be 
blinded  by  pride  and  fall  into  the  condemnation  of  the  Devil. 
He  must  have  a  good  reputation  with  outsiders  so  as  not  to  fall 
into  reproach  and  the  snare  of  the  Devil. 

Deacons,  in  the  same  way,  must  be  dignified,  not  double- 
tongued,  not  given  to  much  wine,  not  eager  for  base  gain, 
holding  the  mystery  of  the  faith  with  a  pure  conscience.  They 
must  first  be  tested,  and  then  let  them  fill  the  office  of  deacon 
if  there  is  nothing  against  them.  Women,  in  the  same  way, 
must  be  dignified,  not  slanderers,  temperate,  trustworthy  in 
everything.  Deacons  must  be  men  true  to  one  woman,  presid¬ 
ing  well  over  their  children  and  their  own  houses.  Those  who 
have  filled  the  office  of  deacon  well  win  for  themselves  a  high 
standing  and  great  boldness  in  the  faith  in  Christ  Jesus. 

I  am  writing  these  things  to  you,  although  I  hope  to  come  to 
you  soon,  but  so  that  if  I  am  delayed  you  may  know  how 
people  should  conduct  themselves  in  the  household  of  God, 
which  is  the  church  of  the  living  God,  the  pillar  and  base  of  the 
truth.  Confessedly  great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness:  “Who 
was  manifested  in  flesh,  declared  righteous  in  spirit,  seen  by 
angels,  proclaimed  among  Gentiles,  believed  on  in  the  world, 
received  up  in  glory.” 


IV 

The  Spirit  says  distinctly  that  in  later  times  some  will  desert 
from  the  faith,  giving  attention  to  deceiving  spirits  and 
teachings  of  demons,  through  the  hypocrisy  of  men  who  teach 
falsely,  branded  in  their  own  consciences,  forbidding  marriage, 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 


355 


and  insisting  on  abstinence  from  certain  kinds  of  food  which 
God  made  to  be  partaken  of  with  thanksgiving  by  those  who 
are  faithful  and  know  the  truth.  For  everything  made  by  God 
is  excellent  and  nothing  is  to  be  rejected  if  taken  with  thanks¬ 
giving.  For  it  is  made  holy  through  God’s  message  and  through 
prayer. 

In  teaching  this  to  the  brethren  you  will  be  a  noble  servant 
of  Christ  Jesus,  nourished  by  the  words  of  the  faith  and  of  the 
excellent  teaching  which  you  have  followed.  But  avoid  profane 
and  old-womanish  myths.  Exercise  yourself  in  godliness. 
Bodily  exercise  is  useful  to  a  small  degree,  but  godliness  is  useful 
for  everything.  “It  has  the  promise  of  the  present  life  and  of 
the  life  that  is  to  come.”  This  saying  is  trustworthy  and 
deserving  of  full  acceptance.  For  to  this  end  we  are  laboring 
and  wrestling,  because  we  have  set  our  hope  on  the  living  God, 
who  is  the  Savior  of  all  men,  especially  of  believers. 

Command  and  teach  these  things.  Let  no  one  look  down  on 
you  because  you  are  young,  but  be  an  example  to  believers  in 
speech,  in  the  life  you  lead,  in  love,  in  faith,  in  purity.  Until  I 
come  give  attention  to  reading,  to  exhortation,  to  teaching. 
Do  not  neglect  the  gift  that  is  in  you,  which  was  given  to  you 
through  prophecy  with  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  elder¬ 
ship.  Be  careful  about  these  things,  be  fully  occupied  with  them, 
that  your  progress  may  be  plain  to  all.  Be  thoughtful  about 
yourself  and  your  teaching.  Persevere  in  this;  for  in  doing  so 
you  will  save  yourself  and  those  who  hear  you. 

V 

Do  not  rebuke  an  older  man,  but  entreat  him  as  a  father,  the 
younger  men  as  brothers,  the  older  women  as  mothers  and  the 
younger  women  as  sisters,  in  all  purity. 

Honor  widows  if  they  are  really  widows.  If  any  widow  has 
children  or  grandchildren,  let  them  learn  first  to  act  piously 
toward  their  own  family  and  to  repay  what  they  owe  to  their 
parents  and  grandparents.  For  this  is  pleasing  in  the  sight  of 
God.  A  real  widow  who  is  left  alone  has  set  her  hope  on  God 
and  devotes  herself  to  prayers  and  supplications  night  and  day. 
But  the  pleasure-loving  widow,  though  living,  is  already  dead. 


356 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 


Give  these  commands  that  they  may  be  free  from  reproach. 
If  any  one  does  not  provide  for  his  own,  and  especially  those  of 
his  own  household,  he  has  disowned  the  faith  and  is  worse  than 
an  unbeliever. 

A  widow  is  to  be  put  on  the  list  if  she  has  reached  the  age 
of  not  less  than  sixty  years,  if  she  has  been  true  to  one  husband, 
has  a  reputation  for  good  deeds,  has  brought  up  children,  has 
entertained  strangers,  has  washed  the  feet  of  the  holy,  has 
ministered  to  people  in  distress,  has  been  active  in  every  good 
work.  But  younger  widows  refuse,  for  when  wanton  desires 
lead  them  away  from  Christ  they  wish  to  marry  and  thus  they 
incur  condemnation  for  breaking  their  first  promise.  At  the 
same  time  they  learn  to  be  idle,  going  around  from  house  to 
house,  and  not  only  idle,  but  gossips,  and  busybodies,  saying 
what  they  should  not. 

I  would,  therefore,  have  the  younger  widows  marry,  bear 
children,  keep  house,  give  no  occasion  to  our  enemies  for 
slander.  For  already  some  have  turned  aside  after  Satan. 

If  any  woman  who  is  a  believer  has  widows,  she  must  pro¬ 
vide  for  them  and  the  church  must  not  be  burdened,  so  that  it 
may  provide  for  those  who  are  really  widows. 

The  elders  who  preside  well  should  be  thought  worthy  of 
double  salary,  especially  those  who  labor  in  speaking  and  teach¬ 
ing.  For  the  Scripture  says,  “You  shall  not  muzzle  the  ox 
while  he  is  treading  out  the  grain,”  and  the  workman  deserves 
his  wages. 

Against  an  elder  do  not  receive  an  accusation  unless  on  the 
testimony  of  two  or  three  witnesses.  Those  who  are  going  on 
in  sin  rebuke  before  all,  that  the  rest  may  fear. 

I  charge  you  before  God  and  Christ  Jesus  and  the  chosen 
angels  to  observe  these  directions  without  prejudice,  doing 
nothing  through  partiality. 

Do  not  lay  hands  of  ordination  upon  any  one  hastily.  Have 
no  share  in  the  sins  of  other  men.  Keep  yourself  pure.  Do  not 
keep  on  being  a  water-drinker,  but  use  a  little  wine  for  the 
sake  of  your  stomach  and  because  of  your  frequent  ailments. 

Some  men’s  sins  are  conspicuous  and  go  on  before  to  con¬ 
demnation,  but  the  sins  of  some  men  follow  after  them.  Just 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY  357 

so  noble  deeds  are  conspicuous  and  those  that  are  otherwise 
cannot  be  hid. 


VI 

All  who  are  slaves  under  the  yoke  must  regard  their  own  mas¬ 
ters  as  worthy  of  all  honor,  so  that  the  name  of  God  and  the 
teaching  may  not  be  profanely  slandered.  Those  who  have 
believing  masters  must  not  despise  them  because  they  are 
brothers,  but  rather  work  as  slaves  for  them  because  those 
who  are  benefited  by  their  good  work  are  believers  and  be¬ 
loved. 

Teach  and  urge  these  things.  If  any  one  teaches  otherwise 
and  does  not  agree  to  wholesome  words,  those  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  to  religious  teaching,  he  is  conceited,  knowing 
nothing,  but  morbidly  fond  of  disputes  and  controversies  from 
which  come  envy,  strife,  abusive  language,  wicked  suspicions, 
and  wranglings  of  men  of  depraved  minds  who  are  destitute  of 
the  truth.  They  think  of  religion  as  a  source  of  gain. 

Religion  with  contentment  is  a  great  source  of  gain.  For 
we  brought  nothing  into  the  world  and  we  cannot  carry  any¬ 
thing  out.  If  we  have  food  and  clothing  we  will  be  content  with 
these.  But  those  who  are  determined  to  be  rich  fall  into  temp¬ 
tation  and  a  snare  and  many  foolish  and  injurious  passions 
wrhich  plunge  men  into  destruction  and  ruin.  For  the  love  of 
money  is  a  root  of  all  kinds  of  evil.  Some  men  grasping  for  it 
have  strayed  from  the  faith  and  have  pierced  themselves  with 
many  pangs. 

But  you,  0  man  of  God,  must  shun  this.  Pursue  righteous¬ 
ness,  piety,  faith,  love,  endurance,  gentleness.  Play  the  grand 
hard  game  of  the  faith.  Lay  hold  on  life  eternal,  to  which  you 
have  been  called  and  have  made  the  noble  confession  before 
many  witnesses. 

I  charge  you  in  the  presence  of  God  who  gives  life  to  all,  and 
Christ  Jesus  who  before  Pontius  Pilate  made  the  noble  con¬ 
fession,  to  keep  the  commandment  stainless  and  free  from 
reproach  until  the  appearing  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  in 
due  time  he  will  show,  who  is  the  blessed  and  only  Potentate, 
the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords,  who  alone  has  immortality, 


358 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 


who  dwells  in  light  unapproachable,  whom  no  man  has  seen 
or  can  see.  To  him  be  honor  and  power  eternal !  Amen. 

Command  those  who  are  rich  in  this  world  not  to  be  haughty 
nor  to  fix  their  hope  on  uncertain  wealth,  but  on  God  who 
provides  all  things  richly  for  our  enjoyment.  They  must  do 
good  work,  be  rich  in  noble  deeds,  be  generous,  ready  to  share, 
treasuring  up  for  themselves  a  good  fund  for  the  future,  that 
they  may  lay  hold  on  the  life  that  is  real. 

O  Timothy,  guard  what  has  been  entrusted  to  you,  turning 
away  from  profane  and  empty  talk  and  contradictions  of  what 
is  falsely  called  “  knowledge.”  Some  while  professing  it  have 
gone  astray  as  regards  the  faith. 

Grace  be  with  you  all. 


PAUL’S  SECOND  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 


i 

Paul,  an  apostle  of  Christ  Jesus  by  the  will  of  God  according 
to  the  promise  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus,  to  Timothy  my  beloved 
child: 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  from  God  the  Father  and  from 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

I  thank  God  whom  I  serve,  following  in  the  steps  of  my 
forefathers,  with  a  pure  conscience,  while  I  constantly  mention 
you  in  my  prayers  night  and  day,  remembering  your  tears  and 
longing  to  see  you,  that  I  may  be  filled  with  joy.  I  remember 
the  sincere  faith  that  is  in  you,  which  lived  first  in  your  grand¬ 
mother  Lois  and  then  in  your  mother  Eunice,  and  I  am  confi¬ 
dent  that  it  lives  in  you  also.  For  this  reason  let  me  remind 
you  to  kindle  anew  the  gift  of  God  that  is  in  you  by  the  lay¬ 
ing  on  of  my  hands.  For  God  has  not  given  us  a  spirit  of  fear, 
but  of  power  and  love  and  self-control. 

Do  not  be  ashamed  to  testify  for  our  Lord  or  for  me  his 
prisoner,  but  join  in  suffering  hardships  for  the  good  news  as 
God  gives  power.  It  is  he  who  saved  us  and  called  us  with  a 
holy  calling,  not  according  to  our  deeds  but  according  to  his 
own  purpose  and  grace,  given  to  us  in  Christ  Jesus  ages  ago 
but  now  manifested  by  the  appearance  of  our  Savior  Christ 
Jesus,  who  has  defeated  death  and  brought  to  light  life  and 
immortality  by  the  good  news.  For  this  I  was  made  a  herald 
and  an  apostle  and  a  teacher,  and  for  this  reason  I  am  suffering 
these  things.  But  I  am  not  ashamed,  for  I  know  in  whom  I 
have  put  my  faith,  and  am  confident  that  he  is  able  to  guard 
what  I  have  entrusted  to  him  until  that  day. 

Hold  to  the  example  of  wholesome  words  which  you  heard 
from  me  in  faith  and  love  in  Christ  Jesus.  Guard  through  the 
Holy  Spirit  which  dwells  in  us  the  precious  trust  committed  to 
you. 


360 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 


You  know  that  all  of  those  in  Asia  have  deserted  me.  Among 
them  are  Phygelus  and  Hermogenes.  The  Lord  grant  mercy 
to  the  family  of  Onesiphorus,  for  he  often  cheered  me  and  was 
not  ashamed  of  my  chain;  but  when  he  came  to  Rome  he 

♦ 

looked  me  up  eagerly  and  found  me.  The  Lord  grant  to  him  to 
find  mercy  from  the  Lord  on  that  day !  And  in  how  many  ways 
he  served  me  in  Ephesus  you  know  better  still. 

II 

You,  therefore,  my  child,  must  be  strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in 
Christ  Jesus,  and  the  things  you  heard  from  me,  which  came 
through  many  witnesses,  you  must  commit  to  trustworthy  men 
who  will  be  able  to  teach  others  also.  Take  your  share  of  hard¬ 
ship  as  a  good  soldier  of  Christ  Jesus.  No  one  while  serving  as 
a  soldier  entangles  himself  in  the  affairs  of  life,  for  the  soldier 
must  please  him  who  enlisted  him.  And  if  any  one  enters  an 
athletic  contest,  he  is  not  crowned  unless  he  competes  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  rules.  The  farmer  who  does  the  labor  ought  first  to 
have  his  share  of  the  fruits.  Think  over  what  I  am  saying,  for 
the  Lord  will  give  you  insight  in  all  things. 

Remember  Jesus  Christ,  raised  from  the  dead,  a  descendant 
of  David,  as  my  good  news  teaches.  In  telling  it  I  am  suffering 
hardships  even  to  chains,  as  if  I  were  an  evildoer,  but  God’s 
message  is  not  chained.  For  this  reason  I  am  enduring  all  for 
the  sake  of  the  chosen,  that  they  may  gain  the  salvation  that 
is  in  Christ  Jesus  with  eternal  glory.  Trustworthy  is  the  say¬ 
ing,  “For  if  we  have  died  with  him  we  shall  also  live  with 
him;  if  we  endure  we  shall  also  be  kings  with  him;  if  we  dis¬ 
own  him,  he  will  disown  us;  if  we  are  faithless,  he  remains 
faithful;  for  he  cannot  disown  himself.” 

Remind  them  of  these  things,  charging  them  before  God  not 
to  engage  in  controversy  to  no  profit,  but  to  the  ruin  of  the 
hearers.  Be  earnest  in  presenting  yourself  to  God  as  a  tested 
man,  a  workman  who  has  no  cause  to  be  ashamed,  rightly 
handling  the  message  of  truth.  But  shun  profane  and  empty 
talk.  It  will  grow  into  greater  impiety,  and  its  teachings  will 
spread  like  a  gangrene.  Hymenseus  and  Philetus  are  of  this  sort. 
They  have  gone  astray  as  to  the  truth,  saying  that  the  resur- 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 


361 


rection  has  already  taken  place,  and  they  are  overthrowing  the 
faith  of  some.  However,  God’s  solid  foundation  stands,  with 
this  inscription,  “The  Lord  knows  his  own,”  and,  “Let  every 
one  who  names  the  Lord’s  name  turn  from  wickedness.” 

In  a  great  house  there  are  not  only  utensils  of  gold  and  silver, 
but  also  of  wood  and  earthenware,  and  some  are  for  honorable 
and  others  for  dishonorable  uses.  If  any  one  keeps  himself 
pure  from  these  errors,  he  will  be  ready  for  honorable  use,  holy, 
fit  for  the  master’s  service,  prepared  for  every  good  work.  But 
flee  the  passions  of  youth  and  pursue  righteousness,  faith,  love, 
peace,  in  the  company  of  those  who  call  on  the  Lord  out  of  a 
pure  heart.  Avoid  foolish  disputes  of  the  uneducated,  knowing 
that  they  give  rise  to  quarrels,  and  the  servant  of  the  Lord  must 
not  quarrel,  but  be  courteous  to  all,  skillful  in  teaching,  for¬ 
bearing,  instructing  opponents  with  gentleness,  for  God  may 
give  them  a  change  of  heart  which  will  lead  them  to  knowledge 
of  the  truth,  and  they  may  return  to  soberness  and  escape  the 
snare  of  the  Devil  when  captured  by  the  Lord’s  servant  to  do 
the  Lord’s  will. 


Ill 

I  would  have  you  know  this,  that  in  the  last  days  trying  times 
will  come;  for  people  will  be  lovers  of  self,  lovers  of  money, 
boasters,  haughty,  abusive,  disobedient  to  parents,  ungrateful, 
profane,  without  family  affection,  relentless,  slanderers,  with¬ 
out  self-control,  brutal,  haters  of  good,  treacherous,  reckless, 
conceited,  lovers  of  pleasure  rather  than  lovers  of  God.  They 
will  have  a  form  of  religion,  but  will  cast  off  its  power.  Avoid 
such  people.  For  of  this  class  are  those  who  make  their  way 
into  houses  and  take  captive  weak  women  loaded  with  sins,  led 
by  varying  passions,  always  learning  and  never  able  to  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

Just  as  Jannes  and  Jambres  opposed  Moses,  so  these  men 
oppose  the  truth,  depraved  in  mind,  proved  to  be  worthless  as 
regards  the  faith.  But  they  will  go  no  further,  for  their  folly 
will  be  manifest  to  all  as  that  of  Jannes  and  Jambres  became. 
But  you  have  kept  track  of  my  teaching,  my  course  of  life,  my 
purpose,  my  faith,  my  slowness  to  anger,  my  love,  my  patience, 


362 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY 


my  persecutions,  my  sufferings  —  what  happened  to  me  at 
Antioch,  Iconium,  Lystra,  what  persecutions  I  underwent. 
But  the  Lord  delivered  me  out  of  all  of  them.  And  all  who  are 
determined  to  live  religiously  in  Christ  Jesus  will  be  persecuted. 
Wicked  men  and  impostors  will  go  on  from  bad  to  worse, 
deceiving  and  being  deceived. 

But  you  must  stand  by  what  you  learned  and  were  persuaded 
of,  knowing  from  whom  you  learned  it  and  that  from  childhood 
you  have  known  the  sacred  writings  which  can  give  you  wisdom 
to  gain  salvation  through  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  All  Scripture 
is  divinely  inspired  and  is  useful  for  teaching,  for  proof,  for 
correction  of  error,  for  education  in  righteousness,  that  the 
man  of  God  may  be  complete,  equipped  for  every  good  work. 

IV 

I  charge  you  before  God  and  Christ  Jesus,  who  will  soon 
judge  the  living  and  the  dead,  and  by  his  appearing  and  his 
kingdom:  proclaim  the  message,  be  at  it  in  season  and  out 
of  season,  convince,  rebuke,  encourage,  with  all  patience  in 
teaching.  For  there  will  be  a  time  when  they  will  not  endure 
wholesome  teaching,  but  following  their  own  fancies  and 
wishing  to  have  their  ears  tickled,  they  will  get  a  crowd  of 
teachers.  They  will  turn  their  ears  away  from  the  truth  and 
give  attention  to  myths. 

But  you  must  be  calm  in  all  circumstances,  suffer  hardships, 
do  the  work  of  a  bringer  of  the  good  news,  carry  out  fully  all 
the  duties  of  your  office.  For  I  am  already  being  poured  out 
like  a  drink  offering,  and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  near.  I 
have  played  the  grand  hard  game,  I  have  finished  my  race, 
I  have  kept  the  faith.  Now  the  crown  of  righteousness  is 
awaiting  me.  The  Lord  the  righteous  judge  will  give  it  to  me 
on  that  day,  and  not  only  to  me  but  to  all  those  who  have 
loved  his  appearing. 

Make  haste  to  come  to  me  quickly.  For  Demas  deserted  me 
because  he  loved  the  present  world  and  has  gone  to  Thessa- 
lonica.  Crescens  has  gone  to  Galatia,  Titus  to  Dalmatia. 
Luke  alone  is  with  me.  Get  Mark  and  bring  him  with  you, 
for  he  is  useful  to  me  in  service.  I  sent  Tychicus  to  Ephesus. 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY  363 

When  you  come,  bring  the  cloak  that  I  left  at  Troas  with  Car¬ 
pus,  and  the  books,  and  particularly  the  parchments. 

Alexander  the  coppersmith  showed  much  ill  will  toward  me. 
The  Lord  will  repay  him  according  to  his  deeds.  Be  on  your 
guard  against  him,  for  he  strongly  opposed  our  teachings. 

At  my  first  defense  no  one  came  to  my  help;  all  deserted  me. 
May  it  not  be  laid  up  against  them!  But  the  Lord  stood  by 
me  and  strengthened  me  so  that  through  me  the  proclamation 
might  be  fully  published  and  all  the  Gentiles  might  hear  it,  and 
I  was  saved  from  the  mouth  of  the  lion.  The  Lord  will  rescue 
me  from  every  wicked  attack  and  will  keep  me  safe  for  his 
heavenly  kingdom.  To  him  be  glory  for  the  ages  of  the  ages! 
Amen. 

Give  my  greetings  to  Priscaand  Aquilaand  the  household  of 
Onesiphorus.  Erastus  stayed  at  Corinth.  Trophimus  I  left  at 
Miletus,  sick.  Try  to  come  before  winter.  Eubulus  and  Pudens 
and  Linus  and  Claudia  and  all  the  brethren  send  their  greet¬ 
ings  to  you. 

The  Lord  be  with  your  spirit.  Grace  be  with  you  all. 


PAUL’S  LETTER  TO  TITUS 


i 

Paul,  a  servant  of  God  and  an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ  to  pro¬ 
mote  the  faith  of  God’s  chosen  and  their  knowledge  of  the 
truths  of  religion,  in  hope  of  life  eternal,  which  the  God  who 
never  lies  promised  ages  ago  but  in  due  time  made  known  as 
his  message  through  the  proclamation  with  which  I  was  en¬ 
trusted  by  the  commission  of  God  our  Savior,  to  Titus  my  true 
child  in  our  common  faith : 

Grace  and  peace  from  God,  the  Father,  and  from  Christ 
Jesus,  our  Savior. 

For  this  reason  I  left  you  in  Crete:  to  arrange  the  things 
that  are  lacking  and  appoint  elders  in  every  city  as  I  directed 
you,  wherever  there  is  a  man  of  irreproachable  character, 
true  to  one  woman,  with  believing  children  who  are  not  charged 
with  dissolute  conduct  and  not  unruly.  For  a  bishop,  as  God’s 
steward,  must  be  above  reproach,  not  self-willed,  not  quick¬ 
tempered,  not  given  to  wine,  not  given  to  blows,  not  eager  for 
base  gain,  but  hospitable,  a  lover  of  good,  self-controlled,  just, 
holy,  temperate,  holding  to  the  trustworthy  message  which  is 
according  to  the  teaching,  so  that  he  may  be  able  also  to  en¬ 
courage  others  by  wholesome  teaching  and  to  refute  opposers. 

For  there  are  many  insubordinate  persons,,  foolish  talkers 
and  deceivers,  especially  those  who  are  of  the  circumcision, 
who  ought  to  be  silenced,  for  they  are  upsetting  whole  house¬ 
holds,  teaching  what  they  should  not,  merely  for  the  sake  of 
base  gain.  One  of  themselves,  a  prophet  of  their  own,  said, 
“  Cretans  are  always  liars,  base  brutes,  lazy  gluttons.”  This 
testimony  is  true.  For  this  reason  rebuke  them  sharply,  that 
they  may  be  sound  in  the  faith,  not  giving  attention  to  Jewish 
myths  and  rules  laid  down  by  men  who  are  turning  away  from 
the  truth.  To  the  pure  all  things  are  pure;  but  to  the  polluted 
and  unbelieving  nothing  is  pure.  Even  their  minds  and  con- 


LETTER  TO  TITUS 


365 


sciences  are  polluted.  They  profess  to  know  God,  but  by  their 
deeds  they  disown  him.  They  are  detestable,  disobedient,  and 
worthless  for  any  good  work. 


II 

You  must  speak  to  them  of  the  matters  which  should  have  a 
place  in  wholesome  teaching.  Tell  the  older  men  to  be  tem¬ 
perate,  dignified,  self-controlled,  sound  in  faith,  in  love,  in 
patience.  Tell  the  older  women,  in  the  same  way,  to  be  reverent 
in  behavior,  not  slanderers,  not  enslaved  to  much  wine, 
teachers  of  what  is  noble,  that  they  may  train  the  young 
women  to  be  loving  wives  and  loving  mothers,  self-controlled, 
pure,  home-workers,  kind,  submissive  to  their  own  husbands, 
that  God’s  message  may  not  be  slandered.  Urge  the  younger 
men,  in  the  same  way,  to  practice  self-control  in  everything. 
Make  yourself  an  example  of  good  works,  sincerity  in  teaching, 
dignified  behavior  and  wholesome  talk  that  is  above  censure, 
that  our  opponents  may  be  ashamed,  having  nothing  evil  to 
say  about  us.  Tell  slaves  to  be  submissive  to  their  own  masters 
in  all  things  and  to  try  to  please  them,  not  answering  back, 
not  pilfering,  but  showing  all  kindly  fidelity,  so  as  to  make  the 
teaching  about  God  our  Savior  seem  beautiful  in  all  respects. 

For  the  grace  of  God  has  appeared  bringing  salvation  to  all 
men,  teaching  us  to  renounce  all  irreligion  and  worldly  passions 
and  to  live  soberly,  justly  and  piously  in  this  present  world, 
waiting  for  the  blessed  hope,  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  great 
God  and  of  our  Savior  Christ  Jesus,  who  gave  himself  for  us  to 
redeem  us  from  all  sin  and  purify  us  as  his  own  people  earnest  . 
in  honorable  work.  Tell  them  these  things,  urge,  convince 
with  all  authority;  let  no  one  slight  you. 

III 

Remind  them  to  be  submissive  to  ruling  authorities,  to  be 
obedient,  to  be  ready  for  every  good  work,  to  speak  abusively 
to  no  one,  to  be  peaceable,  to  be  fair,  showing  all  gentleness 
toward  all  men.  For  we  ourselves  were  once  thoughtless, 
disobedient,  astray,  enslaved  to  passions  and  various  pleasures, 
living  in  malice  and  envy,  hateful  and  hating  one  another. 


366 


LETTER  TO  TITUS 


But  when  the  kindness  of  our  Savior,  God,  and  his  love  to  men 
appeared,  “  not  because  of  works  that  we  had  done  in  righteous¬ 
ness,  but  out  of  his  own  mercy  he  saved  us  through  the  bath  of 
the  new  birth  and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Spirit  which  he 
poured  out  upon  us  richly  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Savior, 
that  we  might  be  declared  righteous  by  his  grace  and  become 
heirs  with  the  hope  of  life  eternal.”  That  is  a  trustworthy 
saying. 

I  wish  you  to  insist  on  these  things  so  that  those  who  have 
put  their  faith  in  God  may  give  earnest  attention  to  honorable 
work.  These  things  are  honorable  and  also  useful  to  men.  But 
avoid  foolish  disputes  and  genealogies  and  strife  and  quarrels 
about  the  Law;  for  they  are  unprofitable  and  futile.  If  a  man 
is  factious,  after  one  or  two  warnings,  have  nothing  more  to 
do  with  him,  knowing  that  such  a  one  is  perverted  and  goes 
on  sinning  though  self-condemned. 

When  I  send  Artemas  to  you  or  Tychicus,  try  to  come  to  me 
at  Nicopolis,  for  I  have  decided  to  pass  the  winter  there.  Do 
your  best  in  helping  Zenas,  the  lawyer,  and  Apollos  forward  on 
their  journey  so  that  they  may  lack  nothing.  Our  people  too 
must  learn  to  give  attention  to  honorable  work,  so  as  to  be 
able  to  meet  pressing  needs,  that  they  may  not  be  fruitless. 

All  who  are  with  me  send  you  their  greetings.  Give  our  greet¬ 
ings  to  those  who  love  us  in  the  faith. 

Grace  be  with  all  of  you. 


PAUL’S  LETTER  TO  PHILEMON 


I 

Paul,  a  prisoner  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  Timothy  our  brother,  to 
Philemon,  our  beloved  fellow  worker,  and  to  Apphia,  our  sister, 
and  to  Archippus,  our  fellow  soldier,  and  to  the  Church  that 
meets  at  your  house: 

Grace  to  you  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

I  always  thank  my  God  when  I  mention  you  in  my  prayers, 
for  I  hear  of  the  love  and  the  loyalty  that  you  have  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  and  to  all  the  holy.  I  pray  that  your  fellowship  in 
the  faith  may  become  effective  in  the  knowledge  of  all  the  good 
there  is  in  us  in  our  relation  to  Christ.  For  I  have  had  great 
joy  and  encouragement  in  your  love,  because  the  hearts  of  the 
holy  have  been  refreshed  by  you,  brother. 

Therefore,  though  I  might  have  great  boldness  in  Christ  to 
command  you  what  is  fitting,  I  beg  you  rather  for  love’s  sake, 
as  Paul  the  old  man  and  now  the  prisoner  of  Christ  Jesus  —  I 
beg  you  in  behalf  of  my  child  Onesimus,  born  to  me  in  my 
chains,  who  once  was  useless 1  to  you,  but  now  is  useful  to  you 
and  to  me.  I  am  sending  him  back  to  you,  though  he  is  my 
very  heart.  I  should  like  to  have  him  for  my  own,  to  serve  me 
in  my  chains  for  the  good  news,  as  your  representative,  but 
without  your  consent  I  am  unwilling  to  do  anything,  so  that 
your  goodness  may  not  be  of  necessity  but  of  free  will. 

Perhaps  it  was  for  this  that  he  was  separated  from  you  for  a 
time,  that  you  might  have  him  back  for  ever,  no  longer  as  a 
slave,  but  more  than  a  slave,  a  brother  beloved,  especially  to 
me,  but  how  much  more  to  you,  both  in  the  flesh  and  in  the 
Lord.  If  then  you  hold  me  for  a  partner,  receive  him  as  you 
would  me.  If  he  has  wronged  you  in  any  way  or  owes  you  any¬ 
thing,  charge  that  to  my  account.  I,  Paul,  write  it  with  my 
1  This  is  a  play  on  the  name  Onesimus,  which  in  Greek  means  ‘‘Helpful.” 


368 


LETTER  TO  PHILEMON 


own  hand.  I  will  pay  it  —  not  to  mention  to  you  that  you  owe 
me  your  own  self  besides.  Yes,  brother,  let  me  have  this  help 1 
from  you  in  the  Lord;  refresh  my  heart  in  Christ. 

I  am  writing  to  you  confident  of  your  obedience  and  knowing 
that  you  will  do  more  than  I  say.  At  the  same  time  I  want  you 
to  prepare  a  lodging  for  me,  for  I  hope  that  through  your 
prayers  I  shall  be  given  back  to  you. 

Epaphras,  my  fellow  prisoner  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  Mark, 
Aristarchus,  Demas  and  Luke,  my  fellow  workers,  send  you 
their  greetings. 

The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  your  spirits. 

1  Again  a  play  on  the  name  Onesimus,  “Helpful.”, 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


I 

Many  times  and  in  many  ways  God  spoke  of  old  to  our  fathers 
by  the  prophets;  but  at  the  end  of  these  days  he  has  spoken  to 
us  by  a  Son,  whom  he  has  appointed  heir  of  all  things  and 
through  whom  he  made  the  world,  who  is  the  reflection  of  his 
glory  and  the  expression  of  his  nature  and  sustains  all  things 
by  his  word  of  power,  and  who,  when  he  had  made  purification 
from  sins,  took  his  seat  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on 
high,  having  become  as  much  superior  to  the  angels  as  the 
name  he  has  inherited  surpasses  theirs. 

For  to  which  of  the  angels  did  he  ever  say,  “Thou  art  my 
son;  I  have  to-day  become  thy  Father”?  and  again,  “I  will 
be  to  him  a  Father  and  he  shall  be  to  me  a  Son”?  And  again 
when  he  brings  his  first-born  into  the  world  of  men  he  says. 
“And  let  all  the  angels  of  God  bow  down  to  him.”  Referring 
to  the  angels  he  says,  “He  makes  his  angels  winds,  his  servants 
a  flame  of  fire.”  But  regarding  the  Son  he  says,  “Thy  throne, 
O  God,  is  forever  and  ever.  Thy  royal  scepter  is  a  scepter  of 
justice.  Thou  lovest  righteousness  and  hatest  lawlessness, 
therefore  God,  thy  God,  has  anointed  thee  with  the  oil  of  glad¬ 
ness  beyond  thy  companions.”  And,  “Thou,  in  the  begin¬ 
ning,  O  Lord,  didst  found  the  earth,  and  the  heavens  are  works 
of  thy  hands.  They  will  perish,  but  thou  wilt  endure.  They  all 
will  grow  old  like  a  garment  and  like  a  mantle  thou  wilt  roll 
them  up.  But  thou  art  the  same  and  thy  years  will  never  end.” 
To  which  of  the  angels  did  he  ever  say,  “Sit  at  my  right  hand 
till  I  make  thine  enemies  thy  footstool”?  Are  they  not  all 
ministering  spirits  sent  forth  for  service  in  behalf  of  those  who 
are  to  inherit  salvation? 

II 

For  this  reason  we  should  give  special  attention  to  the  things 
that  we  have  heard,  so  as  not  to  drift  away  from  them.  For  if 


370 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


the  message  spoken  through  angels  was  sure  and  every  viola¬ 
tion  and  disobedience  received  merited  punishment,  how  shall 
we  escape  if  we  neglect  so  great  a  salvation,  which  at  the  be¬ 
ginning  was  spoken  by  the  Lord  and  was  confirmed  to  us  by 
those  who  heard  him,  while  God  added  his  testimony  by  signs 
and  wonders  and  many  kinds  of  miracles  and  impartations  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  according  to  his  will? 

For  he  has  not  subjected  to  angels  the  coming  world  of 
which  we  speak.  But  somewhere  one  says,  “  What  is  man  that 
thou  rememberest  him?  Or  the  son  of  man  that  thou  carest 
for  him?  Thou  hast  made  him  a  little  lower  than  the  angels. 
With  glory  and  honor  thou  hast  crowned  him.  All  things  thou 
hast  put  under  his  feet.”  When  he  put  all  things  under  him 
he  left  nothing  that  was  not  put  under  him.  We  do  not  yet 
see  all  things  put  under  him,  but  we  see  Jesus,  who  was  made 
a  little  lower  than  the  angels  for  the  suffering  of  death  that  by 
the  grace  of  God  he  might  taste  of  death  for  every  man,  now 
crowned  with  glory  and  honor.  For  it  was  fitting  that  he 
through  whom  are  all  things  and  for  whom  are  all  things,  when 
leading  many  sons  to  glory,  should  make  the  great  Leader  of 
their  salvation  perfect  through  sufferings.  For  he  who  makes 
holy  and  they  who  are  made  holy  are  all  of  one.  For  this  cause 
he  is  not  ashamed  to  call  them  brothers,  saying,  “I  will  tell 
thy  name  to  my  brothers.  In  the  midst  of  the  assembly  I  will 
sing  praise  to  thee,”  and  again,  “  I  will  trust  in  him,”  and  again, 
“Here  am  I  and  the  children  whom  God  has  given  me.” 

Since  then  the  children  share  in  blood  and  flesh,  he  himself 
in  the  same  way  shared  in  them,  in  order  that  through  death 
he  might  defeat  him  who  had  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the 
Devil,  and  set  free  all  those  who  through  fear  of  death  were  all 
their  lives  doomed  to  slavery.  For  he  does  not  come  to  the 
help  of  angels,  but  he  comes  to  the  help  of  the  descendants  of 
Abraham.  And  for  that  reason  he  had  to  be  made  like  his 
brethren  in  everything,  so  as  to  be  a  compassionate  and  faith¬ 
ful  high  priest  in  things  relating  to  God,  to  make  propitiation 
for  the  sins  of  the  people.  For  since  he  himself  has  suffered 
when  tempted  he  is  able  to  help  those  who  are  tempted. 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


371 


III 

Therefore,  holy  brethren,  sharers  in  a  heavenly  call,  consider 
the  Apostle  and  High  Priest  of  our  confession,  Jesus,  who  was 
faithful  to  him  who  made  him  as  also  Moses  was  in  all  God’s 
house.  For  he  has  been  thought  worthy  of  more  glory  than 
Moses,  just  as  he  who  has  built  a  house  has  more  honor  than 
the  house.  For  every  house  is  built  by  some  one,  but  he  who 
built  all  things  is  God.  Moses  was  faithful  in  all  God’s  house 
as  a  servant  for  a  testimony  to  the  things  that  were  to  be 
spoken,  but  Christ  as  a  Son  over  his  own  house.  We  are  his 
house  if  we  hold  firmly  to  the  end  our  confidence  and  the  hope 
of  which  we  boast. 

Wherefore,  as  the  Holy  Spirit  says,  “  To-day  if  you  will  hear 
his  voice,  do  not  harden  your  hearts  as  when  they  made  me 
angry  on  the  day  when  they  tried  me  in  the  desert,  when  your 
fathers  put  me  to  a  test  and  saw  my  deeds  for  forty  years. 
Therefore  I  was  much  displeased  with  that  generation  and  said, 

4  They  always  go  astray  in  their  hearts  and  they  do  not  know 
my  paths.’  So  I  swore  in  my  wrath,  ‘They  shall  not  enter  into 
my  rest.’”  See  to  it,  brethren,  that  there  shall  not  be  in  any 
one  of  you  a  wicked,  unbelieving  heart  ready  to  forsake  the 
living  God,  but  encourage  one  another  daily  while  it  is  called 
“to-day,”  that  no  one  may  be  hardened  by  the  deceitfulness  of 
sin.  For  we  become  sharers  with  Christ  if  we  hold  firmly  to 
the  end  the  assurance  with  which  we  began.  When  it  is  said, 
“  To-day  if  you  will  hear  his  voice,  do  not  harden  your  hearts  as 
when  they  made  me  angry”  —  who  when  they  heard  made 
him  angry?  Was  it  not  all  those  who  came  out  of  Egypt  with 
Moses?  With  whom  was  he  much  displeased  for  forty  years? 
Was  it  not  with  those  who  sinned,  whose  bodies  fell  in  the 
desert?  To  whom  did  he  swear  that  they  should  not  enter  his 
rest,  except  to  those  who  had  no  faith?  We  see  that  they  were 
unable  to  enter  because  of  their  lack  of  faith. 

IV 

Let  us,  then,  be  afraid  that,  though  the  promise  of  entering 
his  rest  is  still  left,  some  one  of  you  may  seem  to  have  missed 


372 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


it.  For  we  have  received  the  good  news  just  as  they  did,  but  the 
message  that  was  heard  did  not  benefit  them,  since  it  did  not 
meet  with  faith  in  the  hearers.  For  we  who  have  faith  are 
entering  into  the  rest,  as  he  said,  “As  I  swore  in  my  wrath, 
‘They  shall  not  enter  into  my  rest/’ 7  although  his  works  had 
been  finished  since  the  creation  of  the  world.  For  he  has  some¬ 
where  spoken  of  the  seventh  day  thus,  “And  God  rested  on  the 
seventh  day  from  all  his  works,”  and  in  this  place  again,  “  They 
shall  not  enter  into  my  rest.”  Since,  then,  it  remains  for  some 
to  enter  into  it,  and  those  who  first  received  the  good  news  did 
not  enter  because  of  lack  of  faith  —  again  he  indicates  a  day, 
“to-day,”  saying  in  David  so  long  after,  as  has  been  already 
quoted,  “To-day  if  you  will  hear  his  voice,  do  not  harden  your 
hearts.”  For  if  Joshua  had  given  them  rest  he  would  not  be 
speaking  of  another  day  after  that.  Therefore  there  still  re¬ 
mains  a  rest  for  the  people  of  God.  For  he  who  has  entered  into 
God’s  rest  has  rested  from  his  works  as  God  did  from  his. 

Let  us  endeavor  then  to  enter  into  that  rest  so  that  no  one 
shall  fall,  after  that  example  of  lack  of  faith.  For  the  word  of 
God  is  living  and  effective  and  sharper  than  any  two-edged 
sword,  and  it  pierces  until  it  divides  soul  and  spirit,  joints  and 
marrow,  and  it  judges  the  thoughts  and  purposes  of  the  heart. 
There  is  not  a  creature  invisible  to  him,  but  all  things  are  naked 
and  defenseless  before  the  eyes  of  him  to  whom  we  must 
account. 

Since,  then,  we  have  a  great  High  Priest  who  has  passed 
through  the  heavens,  Jesus,  the  Son  of  God,  let  us  hold  fast 
our  confession.  For  we  have  not  a  high  priest  who  cannot 
sympathize  with  our  weaknesses,  for  he  has  been  tempted  in 
every  way  just  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin.  Therefore  let  us 
come  with  confidence  to  the  throne  of  grace  and  receive  com¬ 
passion  and  find  grace  for  timely  help. 

V 

For  every  high  priest  taken  from  among  men  is  appointed  in 
behalf  of  men  in  things  relating  to  God  to  offer  gifts  and  sacri¬ 
fices  for  sins.  He  is  able  to  sympathize  with  the  ignorant  and 
the  erring,  since  he  himself  is  beset  with  weaknesses.  For  this 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


373 


reason  he  must  bring  an  offering  for  his  own  sins,  just  as  he 
does  for  those  of  the  people.  And  no  one  takes  this  honor  upon 
himself  unless  called  by  God,  as  Aaron  was.  So  too  Christ  did 
not  take  for  himself  the  glory  of  becoming  a  high  priest,  but  he 
who  said  to  him,  “  Thou  art  my  Son,  to-day  I  have  become  thy 
Father/’  and  who  says  in  another  place,  “Thou  art  a  priest 
forever  after  the  order  of  Melchizedek.”  Christ,  in  the  days 
of  his  flesh,  offered  prayers  and  supplications  to  him  who  was 
able  to  save  him  from  death,  with  strong  outcries  and  tears, 
and  was  heard  and  saved  from  his  terrors.  Although  he  was  a 
Son  he  learned  obedience  from  his  sufferings,  and  being  thus 
made  perfect  he  became  the  author  of  eternal  salvation  to  all 
who  obey  him,  and  was  proclaimed  by  God  a  high  priest  after 
the  order  of  Melchizedek. 

Regarding  Melchizedek  we  have  much  to  say  that  is  hard  to 
explain,  since  you  have  become  dull  of  hearing.  For  when,  con¬ 
sidering  the  time,  you  ought  to  be  teachers  you  need  to  have 
some  one  teach  you  again  the  first  principles  of  the  revelations 
of  God.  You  have  come  to  need  milk  and  not  solid  food.  For 
every  one  who  takes  milk  is  inexperienced  in  the  doctrine  of 
righteousness,  for  he  is  a  child.  But  solid  food  is  for  adults  who 
through  practice  have  their  senses  exercised  in  distinguishing 
good  and  bad. 

VI 

Therefore  let  us  leave  elementary  teaching  about  Christ  and 
hasten  on  to  what  is  advanced,  not  laying  again  a  foundation 
—  change  of  heart  from  dead  works,  faith  in  God,  the  teaching 
about  baptisms,  the  laying  on  of  hands,  resurrection  of  the  dead, 
and  eternal  judgment.  This  we  will  do  if  God  permits.  For  it 
is  impossible  for  those  who  have  been  once  for  all  enlightened 
and  have  tasted  the  heavenly  gift  and  have  become  sharers  in 
the  Holy  Spirit  and  have  tasted  God’s  word  and  the  powers  of 
the  coming  world,  and  then  have  fallen  away,  to  have  again 
a  change  of  heart,  since  they  are  crucifying  for  themselves 
afresh  the  Son  of  God  and  putting  him  to  open  shame.  For 
ground  that  drinks  the  rain  that  comes  often  upon  it  and  bears 
plants  useful  to  those  for  whom  it  is  farmed  shares  in  God’s 


374 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


blessing;  but  if  it  bears  thorns  and  thistles  it  is  judged  worthless 
and  is  near  to  being  cursed.  In  the  end  it  will  be  burnt  over. 

But  we  are  persuaded  of  better  things  regarding  you,  be¬ 
loved,  things  that  belong  with  salvation,  though  we  thus 
speak.  For  God  is  not  so  unjust  as  to  forget  your  work  and 
the  love  that  you  have  shown  to  his  name  as  you  have  served 
and  are  still  serving  the  holy.  But  we  desire  to  have  each  one 
of  you  show  to  the  end  the  same  earnestness  for  the  fufillment 
of  our  hope,  that  you  may  not  be  dull,  but  imitators  of  those 
who  through  faith  and  patience  are  inheriting  the  promises. 

For  God,  when  making  the  promise  to  Abraham,  since  he 
could  swear  by  no  one  greater,  swore  by  himself,  saying, 
“  Surely,  I  will  greatly  bless  you  and  greatly  multiply  you.” 
And  so  after  patient  waiting  Abraham  obtained  what  was 
promised.  For  men  swear  by  the  greater  and  an  oath  for  con¬ 
firmation  is  to  them  the  end  of  all  dispute.  In  this  case  God 
being  abundantly  willing  to  show  to  the  heirs  of  the  promise 
the  unchangeable  purpose  of  his  will  gave  the  surety  of  an 
oath,  that  by  two  unchangeable  things,  in  which  it  was  im¬ 
possible  for  God  to  be  false,  we  might  have  strong  encourage¬ 
ment,  we  who  have  fled  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope  that  lies  before 
us.  We  have  this  hope  as  an  anchor  of  the  soul,  sure  and  firm, 
and  it  enters  into  the  tent  within  the  curtain  where  Jesus,  our 
forerunner,  has  entered  in  our  behalf,  becoming  forever  a  high 
priest  after  the  order  of  Melchizedek. 

VII 

For,  this  Melchizedek,  king  of  Salem,  priest  of  God  Most  High, 
who  met  Abraham  when  he  was  returning  from  the  defeat  of 
the  kings  and  blessed  him,  and  to  whom  Abraham  gave  a  tenth 
of  all  (first,  by  the  translation  of  his  name,  “  King  of  Righteous¬ 
ness/”  and  then  king  of  Salem,  which  means  “  King  of  Peace”), 
without  father,  without  mother,  without  ancestors,  without 
either  birthday  or  end  of  life,  but  made  like  the  Son  of  God, 
remains  a  priest  permanently.  But  see  how  great  this  man  was, 
since  Abraham  the  patriarch  gave  him  a  tenth  of  his  choicest 
spoils.  And  even  those  of  the  sons  of  Levi  who  attain  the 
priesthood  have  command  according  to  the  Law  to  take  a  tenth 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


375 


from  the  people,  their  own  brethren,  although  these  have 
sprung  from  the  loins  of  Abraham.  But  he  who  had  no  gene¬ 
alogy  from  these  took  a  tenth  from  Abraham  and  pronounced 
a  blessing  on  him  who  had  the  promises.  Without  dispute  the 
less  is  blessed  by  the  greater.  And  here  mortal  men  receive 
tenths,  but  there  one  of  whom  the  witness  is  that  he  is  living. 
And,  to  put  it  frankly,  Levi,  who  receives  the  tenths,  was  made 
to  pay  a  tenth  through  Abraham.  For  he  was  still  in  the  loins 
of  his  father  when  Melchizedek  met  Abraham. 

If,  then,  perfection  had  been  through  the  Levitical  priesthood, 
—  for  on  the  basis  of  that  the  people  received  the  Law  —  what 
need  was  there  for  another  kind  of  priest  to  arise  and  not  be 
called  of  the  order  of  Aaron?  For  when  the  priesthood  has  been 
changed  there  comes  of  necessity  also  a  change  of  law.  For  he 
of  whom  these  things  are  said  belongs  to  another  tribe,  from 
which  no  one  has  ever  had  anything  to  do  with  the  altar.  For 
it  is  plain  that  our  Lord  has  arisen  from  Judah,  and  in  connec¬ 
tion  with  that  tribe  Moses  said  nothing  about  priests.  And 
this  is  yet  more  abundantly  evident  if  after  the  order  of  Mel¬ 
chizedek  there  arises  a  priest  of  a  different  kind  who  has  be¬ 
come  such,  not  according  to  the  law  of  a  commandment  made 
for  the  flesh,  but  according  to  the  power  of  unending  life.  For 
it  is  affirmed  of  him,  “Thou art  a  priest  forever  after  the  order 
of  Melchizedek.”  There  is  a  setting  aside  of  the  earlier  com¬ 
mandment  because  of  its  weakness  and  uselessness  —  for  the 
Law  brought  nothing  to  perfection  —  and  there  is  the  bringing 
in  of  a  better  hope  through  which  we  draw  near  to  God.  And 
just  as  it  was  not  without  an  oath  —  for  those  men  have  be¬ 
come  priests  without  an  oath,  but  he  with  an  oath  from  him 
who  said  to  him,  “The  Lord  has  sworn  and  will  not  change  his 
mind:  thou  art  a  priest  forever”  —  by  so  much  better  is  the 
covenant  of  which  Jesus  has  become  surety. 

And  many  of  them  became  priests  because  they  were  pre¬ 
vented  by  death  from  continuing,  but  he,  because  he  continues 
forever,  has  an  unending  priesthood.  And  so  he  is  able  to  save 
perfectly  those  who  come  to  God  through  him,  since  he  is  for¬ 
ever  living  to  intercede  for  them. 

For  such  was  the  High  Priest  that  we  needed,  holy,  innocent, 


376 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


unstained,  separated  from  sinners,  and  made  higher  than  the 
heavens.  He  has  not  the  daily  need,  like  the  other  priests, 
first  to  offer  sacrifices  for  his  own  sins  and  then  for  those  of  the 
people.  This  latter  he  did  once  for  all  when  he  offered  himself. 
For  the  Law  makes  high  priests  of  men  who  have  infirmities, 
but  the  word  of  the  oath,  which  comes  after  the  Law,  makes 
High  Priest  of  a  Son  who  is  perfected  forever. 

VIII 

The  chief  point  of  what  I  have  been  saying  is  this:  we  have  such 
a  High  Priest  who  has  taken  his  seat  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
throne  of  Majesty  in  the  heavens,  and  who  ministers  in  the 
holy  place  and  in  the  true  Tent  set  up  by  the  Lord,  not  by  man. 

Now  every  high  priest  is  appointed  to  offer  gifts  and  sacri¬ 
fices.  Whence  it  is  necessary  for  this  one  to  have  something  to 
offer.  If  he  were  upon  the  earth  he  would  not  be  a  priest  at  all, 
since  there  are  those  who  offer  the  gifts  according  to  the  Law. 
They  minister  as  an  example  and  shadow  of  the  things  in 
heaven,  just  as  Moses  was  divinely  instructed  when  he  was 
about  to  make  the  Tent.  “See,”  it  was  said,  “that  you  make 
everything  according  to  the  model  shown  you  on  the  mountain.” 
But  now  Christ  has  obtained  a  ministry  as  much  more  excellent 
as  the  covenant  of  which  he  is  mediator  is  better  and  based 
upon  better  promises.  For  if  that  first  covenant  had  been 
faultless  a  place  would  not  have  been  sought  for  a  second.  But 
finding  fault  with  it  he  says,  “The  days  are  coming,  says  the 
Lord,  when  I  will  make  for  the  house  of  Israel  and  for  the  house 
of  Judah  a  new  covenant,  not  in  the  manner  of  the  covenant 
which  I  made  with  their  fathers,  on  the  day  when  I  took  them 
by  the  hand  to  lead  them  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt.  For  they 
did  not  abide  by  my  covenant  and  I  ceased  to  care  for  them, 
says  the  Lord.  This  is  the  covenant  that  I  will  make  with  the 
house  of  Israel  after  those  days,  says  the  Lord;  I  will  put  my 
laws  into  their  minds  and  will  write  them  upon  their  hearts 
and  I  will  be  their  God  and  they  will  be  my  people.  They  shall 
not  teach  each  one  his  fellow  citizen  and  each  one  his  brother 
saying,  ‘Know  the  Lord’;  for  all  shall  know  me,  from  the  least 
to  the  greatest  of  them,  and  I  will  be  merciful  to  their  wrong- 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


377 


doings  and  their  sins  I  will  remember  no  more.”  In  saying 
“new”  he  has  pronounced  the  first  covenant  old.  But  what 
grows  old  and  decadent  is  near  to  disappearance. 

IX 

The  first  covenant  had  regulations  of  worship  and  its  holy 
building  in  this  world.  For  a  Tent  was  erected,  in  the  first  part 
of  which  were  the  lampstand  and  the  table  and  the  consecrated 
bread.  This  was  called  the  Holy  Place.  Behind  the  second 
curtain  was  the  part  called  the  Holy  of  Holies.  It  had  the 
golden  altar  of  incense  and  the  ark  of  the  covenant  all  covered 
with  gold.  In  this  was  a  golden  jar  with  the  manna  and  Aaron’s 
rod  that  sprouted  and  the  tablets  of  the  covenant.  Above  it 
were  cherubim  of  glory  overshadowing  the  place  of  propitiation. 
Regarding  these  things  it  is  not  now  possible  to  speak  in  detail. 
But  these  things  being  thus  arranged,  the  priests  go  constantly 
into  the  first  part  of  the  Tent,  performing  their  services,  but 
into  the  second  part  the  High  Priest  alone  goes  once  in  the 
year,  not  without  blood,  which  he  offers  for  himself  and  for  the 
sins  ignorantly  committed  by  the  people.  The  Holy  Spirit  shows 
this,  that  the  way  into  the  holy  place  has  not  yet  been  made 
plain  while  the  first  Tent  is  standing.  That  is  a  symbol,  for  the 
time  being,  in  accordance  with  which  gifts  and  sacrifices  are 
offered,  though  they  cannot  make  the  worshiper  perfect  in  his 
conscience,  since  they  consist  only  of  foods  and  drinks  and 
various  baths  —  rules  respecting  the  flesh,  imposed  until  the 
time  of  reformation. 

But  when  Christ  came  as  High  Priest  of  the  good  things  that 
have  come,  he  entered  once  for  all  through  the  greater  and 
more  perfect  Tent  not  made  by  hands  —  that  is,  not  of  this 
creation  —  and  not  with  the  blood  of  goats  and  calves,  but 
with  his  own  blood,  into  the  holy  place,  and  thereby  found 
eternal  redemption.  For  if  the  blood  of  goats  and  bulls,  and 
the  ashes  of  a  heifer  sprinkling  the  defiled,  makes  them  holy 
as  regards  purity  of  their  flesh,  how  much  more  will  the  blood 
of  Christ,  who  through  an  eternal  Spirit  offered  himself  an  un¬ 
blemished  sacrifice  to  God,  cleanse  our  consciences  from  dead 
works  for  the  service  of  the  living  God. 


378 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


For  this  reason  he  is  the  mediator  of  a  better  covenant  that, 
a  death  having  taken  place  for  redemption  from  sins  under  the 
first  covenant,  those  who  have  been  called  may  receive  the 
eternal  inheritance  promised  to  them. 

For  where  there  is  a  last  will  and  testament 1  the  death  of  the 
testator  must  be  put  in  evidence.  For  a  will  is  valid  in  the  case 
of  the  dead :  it  never  has  any  force  while  the  testator  is  living. 
Hence  the  first  covenant  was  not  introduced  without  blood. 
When  all  the  commands  of  the  Law  had  been  spoken  by  Moses 
to  all  the  people,  he  took  the  blood  of  calves  and  goats,  with 
water  and  scarlet  wool  and  hyssop,  and  sprinkled  it  on  the 
book  and  on  all  the  people,  saying,  “This  is  the  blood  of  the 
covenant  which  God  has  commanded  for  you.”  And  the  Tent 
and  all  the  things  used  in  worship  he  likewise  sprinkled  with 
blood.  Almost  everything  is  cleansed  with  blood,  according  to 
the  Law,  and  without  the  shedding  of  blood  there  is  no  for¬ 
giveness. 

It  was  necessary,  then,  that  the  copies  of  the  things  in 
heaven  should  be  cleansed  with  these  sacrifices,  but  the 
heavenly  things  themselves  with  better  sacrifices  than  these. 
For  Christ  did  not  enter  into  a  holy  place  made  by  hands,  a 
;  copy  of  the  true,  but  into  heaven  itself,  now  to  appear  before 
the  face  of  God  in  our  behalf.  Nor  was  it  to  offer  himself  often, 
as  the  High  Priest  enters  into  the  holy  place  every  year  with 
blood  not  his  own ;  then  he  must  have  suffered  often  since  the 
foundation  of  the  world.  But  now,  once  for  all,  at  the  end  of 
the  ages,  he  has  appeared  to  do  away  with  sin  by  his  sacrifice. 
And  as  it  is  appointed  for  men  once  for  all  to  die  and  after  this 
comes  judgment,  so  Christ  was  once  for  all  offered  to  bear  the 
sins  of  many  and  will  appear  the  second  time,  apart  from  sin, 
to  those  who  are  looking  for  him,  and  bring  them  salvation. 

X 

For  the  Law  with  a  shadow  of  the  good  things  that  are  coming, 
but  not  the  very  likeness  of  the  things,  cannot,  by  the  same 
sacrifices  which  they  offer  constantly  every  year,  ever  make 

1  The  Greek  word  translated  “Covenant”  may  also  mean  “last  will  and 
testament.”  The  author  here  plays  upon  this  double  meaning. 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


379 


perfect  those  who  come,  since  would  they  not  have  ceased 
offering  them?  Because  the  worshipers,  once  for  all  cleansed, 
would  have  had  no  consciousness  of  sins.  But  in  the  sacrifices 
sins  are  called  to  mind  every  year.  For  the  blood  of  bulls  and 
goats  is  powerless  to  take  away  sins.  Therefore  on  coming 
into  the  world  he  says,  “  Sacrifice  and  offering  thou  dost  not 
desire :  a  body  thou  hast  prepared  for  me.  Whole  burnt  offerings 
and  sin  offerings  thou  dost  not  delight  in.  Then  I  said,  ‘Here 
I  have  come  —  in  the  roll  of  the  book  it  is  written  of  me  —  to 
do  thy  will,  0  God.’”  He  first  says,  “Sacrifices  and  offerings 
and  whole  burnt  offerings  and  sin  offerings  thou  dost  not  desire 
nor  delight  in,”  such  as 'are  offered  according  to  the  Law,  and 
then  he  says,  “Here  I  have  come  to  do  thy  will.”  He  takes 
away  the  first  to  establish  the  second.  By  this  “will”  we  are 
made  holy  through  the  offering  of  the  body  of  Jesus  Christ  once 
for  all. 

Every  priest  stands  daily  doing  service  and  offering  many 
times  the  same  sacrifices,  although  they  never  can  take  away 
sins.  But  this  Priest  after  offering  one  sacrifice  for  sins  forever, 
took  his  seat  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  for  the  future  only 
waiting  until  his  enemies  are  made  his  footstool.  For  by  one 
offering  he  has  forever  perfected  those  who  are  made  holy. 
The  Holy  Spirit  testifies  this  to  us;  for  after  having  said, 
“This  is  the  covenant  that  I  will  make  with  them  after  those 
days,  says  the  Lord :  I  will  put  my  laws  in  their  hearts  and  on 
their  minds  I  will  write  them,”  he  adds,  “and  their  sins  and 
their  law-breakings  I  will  remember  no  more.”  But  where 
there  is  forgiveness  of  these,  there, is  no  longer  any  offering 
for  sin. 

Since  we  have,  then,  brethren,  confidence  in  entering  the 
holy  place  through  the  blood  of  Jesus,  by  the  new  and  living 
way  which  he  has  made  for  us  through  the  curtain,  that  is,  his 
flesh,  and  since  we  have  a  great  Priest  over  the  house  of  God,  let 
us  come  with  true  hearts  in  full  assurance  of  faith,  having  our 
hearts  sprinkled  from  an  evil  conscience  and  our  bodies  bathed 
in  pure  water.  Let  us  hold  fast  the  confession  of  our  hope  with¬ 
out  wavering,  for  he  is  faithful  who  has  promised,  and  let  us 
keep  watch  to  incite  one  another  to  love  and  noble  deeds,  not 


380 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


neglecting  to  assemble  yourselves,  as  some  do,  but  encourag¬ 
ing  one  another,  and  so  much  the  more,  as  you  see  the  day 
drawing  near.  For  if  we  go  on  sinning  willfully  after  receiving 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  there  remains  no  longer  any  sacri¬ 
fice  for  sins,  but  a  dreadful  expectation  of  doom  and  a  fury  of 
fire  that  will  devour  the  opposers.  Any  one  who  sets  aside  a 
law  of  Moses  dies  without  pity  on  the  testimony  of  two  or  three 
witnesses.  Of  how  much  worse  punishment  do  you  think  he 
will  be  judged  worthy  who  has  trampled  on  the  Son  of  God, 
who  has  thought  the  blood  of  the  covenant,  by  which  it  was 
made  holy,  an  unholy  thing,  and  who  has  insulted  the  Spirit 
of  grace?  For  we  know  him  who  said,  “  Vengeance  is  mine,  I 
will  repay/’  and  again,  “The  Lord  will  judge  his  people.”  It 
is  dreadful  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living  God. 

Remember  the  early  days  in  which,  after  being  enlightened, 
you  endured  a  great  struggle  with  sufferings,  at  one  time  made  a 
public  spectacle  by  reproaches  and  distresses,  at  another  time 
making  common  cause  with  those  who  were  thus  treated.  For 
you  even  suffered  with  the  prisoners  and  accepted  the  plunder¬ 
ing  of  your  property  with  joy,  knowing  that  you  had  a  better 
and  enduring  possession.  Do  not,  then,  cast  away  your  confi¬ 
dence,  for  it  will  have  a  great  reward.  You  have  need  of  patience 
so  that  after  doing  the  will  of  God  you  may  gain  the  promised 
blessing.  For  yet  “a  little,  very  little,  while,  and  he  who  is 
coming  will  come  and  will  not  delay.  My  righteous  man  will 
live  by  faith;  but  if  he  shrinks  back,  my  soul  has  no  delight  in 
him.”  But  we  are  not  of  those  who  shrink  back  and  perish, 
but  of  those  who  have  faith  and  will  win  their  souls. 

XI 

Faith  is  an  assurance  of  things  hoped  for,  a  conviction  of  things 
not  seen.  By  this  the  men  of  old  won  their  fame. 

By  faith  we  understand  that  the  worlds  came  into  order  at 
the  word  of  God,  so  that  what  is  now  seen  did  not  come  out  of 
things  that  are  visible. 

By  faith  Abel  offered  to  God  a  better  sacrifice  than  Cain,  for 
which  he  had  witness  borne  to  him  that  he  was  righteous,  God 
testifying  to  his  gifts,  and  by  it,  though  dead,  he  still  speaks. 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


381 


By  faith  Enoch  was  taken  from  the  earth  so  that  he  did  not 
see  death,  and  he  was  not  found  because  God  had  taken  him. 
For  before  being  taken  he  had  this  testimony  that  he  had 
pleased  God.  But  without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  him. 
For  he  who  comes  to  God  must  have  faith  that  he  exists  and 
that  he  becomes  the  rewarder  of  those  who  seek  him. 

By  faith  Noah,  after  receiving  a  divine  warning  regarding 
things  as  yet  unseen,  reverently  built  an  ark  for  the  saving  of 
his  household.  Thus  he  condemned  the  world  and  became  an 
heir  of  the  righteousness  of  faith. 

By  faith  Abraham  when  called  obeyed  and  came  out  into 
the  place  which  he  was  to  obtain  for  an  inheritance.  He  came 
out  not  knowing  where  he  was  coming.  By  faith  he  made  his 
home  in  the  promised  land  as  in  a  foreign  country,  living  in 
tents  with  Isaac  and  Jacob,  the  heirs  with  him  of  the  same 
promise.  For  he  was  looking  for  the  city  that  has  the  founda¬ 
tions,  whose  architect  and  builder  is  God. 

By  faith  Sarah  received  power  to  conceive  a  child  even  when 
past  the  natural  time  of  life,  since  she  thought  him  trustworthy 
who  had  given  the  promise.  And  so  from  just  one  man,  already 
dead  in  that  respect,  there  sprang  descendants  “as  the  stars  of 
heaven  in  multitude  and  as  the  sand  on  the  seashore  innumer¬ 
able.” 

These  all  died  in  faith,  not  having  obtained  the  promised 
blessings,  but  they  saw  them  and  greeted  them  afar  and  con¬ 
fessed  that  they  were  strangers  and  foreigners  in  the  land.  For 
those  who  say  such  things  make  it  plain  that  they  are  seeking 
a  fatherland.  And  if  they  had  been  thinking  of  that  land  from 
which  they  came  they  would  have  had  opportunity  to  return. 
But  now  they  desire  a  better  land,  that  is,  a  heavenly  one. 
Therefore  God  is  not  ashamed  of  them  —  of  being  called  their 
God;  for  he  has  prepared  for  them  a  city. 

By  faith  Abraham  when  he  was  tested  offered  up  Isaac, 'and 
he  who  had  received  the  promises  began  offering  his  only  son 
regarding  whom  it  had  been  said,  “Those  only  whose  descent 
is  through  Isaac  shall  be  called  your  descendants.”  He  rea¬ 
soned  that  God  was  able  to  raise  him  even  from  the  dead,  and 
figuratively  he  did  win  him  back  from  the  dead. 


382 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


By  faith  also  Isaac  blessed  Jacob  and  Esau  and  spoke  of 
things  to  come. 

By  faith  Jacob  when  dying  blessed  each  of  the  sons  of 
Joseph  and  worshiped  leaning  on  the  top  of  his  staff. 

By  faith  Joseph,  when  at  his  end,  mentioned  the  departure 
of  the  children  of  Israel  and  gave  orders  regarding  his  own 
bones. 

By  faith  Moses  at  his  birth  was  hidden  three  months  by  his 
parents,  because  they  saw  that  the  child  was  beautiful,  and 
they  did  not  fear  the  king’s  command. 

By  faith  Moses  when  he  had  grown  up  refused  to  be  called 
a  son  of  Pharaoh’s  daughter.  He  chose  rather  to  suffer  hard¬ 
ship  with  the  people  of  God  than  to  enjoy  the  brief  pleasure  of 
sin,  and  he  thought  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches  than 
the  treasures  of  Egypt.  For  he  was  looking  to  the  final  reward. 

By  faith  he  left  Egypt,  not  fearing  the  king’s  anger;  for  he 
endured  as  if  seeing  him  who  is  unseen.  By  faith  he  kept  the 
Passover  and  the  sprinkling  of  the  blood,  so  that  the  destroyer 
might  not  touch  their  first-born. 

By  faith  they  crossed  the  Red  Sea  as  on  dry  land;  but  the 
Egyptians  when  they  tried  to  do  so  were  drowned. 

By  faith  the  walls  of  Jericho  fell  down  after  they  had  been 
encircled  seven  days. 

By  faith  Rahab,  the  prostitute,  did  not  perish  with  those  who 
had  refused  to  believe;  because  she  had  welcomed  the  spies 
with  peace. 

And  what  shall  I  say  further?  Time  would  fail  me  to  tell  of 
Gideon,  Barak,  Samson,  Jephthah,  and  of  David  and  Samuel 
and  the  prophets,  who  through  faith  struggled  against  king¬ 
doms  and  subdued  them,  did  deeds  of  righteousness,  obtained 
promised  blessings,  shut  the  mouths  of  lions,  quenched  the 
power  of  fire,  escaped  the  edge  of  the  sword,  out  of  weakness 
grew  strong,  became  mighty  in  war,  turned  back  armies  of 
foreigners.  Women  received  back  their  dead  by  a  resurrection. 
Others  were  tortured,  refusing  to  pay  for  liberation,  in  order 
to  gain  a  better  resurrection.  Still  others  had  experience  of 
mockings  and  floggings,  yes,  of  chains  and  prisons.  They  were 
stoned,  afflicted,  sawn  in  two,  murdered  with  the  sword. 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


383 


They  went  about  in  sheepskins,  in  goatskins,  destitute,  dis¬ 
tressed,  maltreated.  The  world  was  not  worthy  of  them. 
They  wandered  in  deserts  and  mountains,  in  caves  and  in 
holes  in  the  earth.  All  these  won  God’s  approval  by  their  faith. 
Yet  they  did  not  obtain  the  fulfillment  of  the  promise.  In 
reference  to  us  God  had  something  better  in  view,  that  they 
without  us  should  not  reach  perfection. 

XII 

Therefore,  surrounded  as  we  are  by  so  great  a  cloud  of  wit¬ 
nesses,  let  us  lay  aside  every  weight  and  the  sin  that  so  easily 
besets  us,  and  let  us  run  with  patience  the  race  that  lies  before 
us,  looking  to  Jesus  the  beginner  and  finisher  of  our  faith,  who 
for  the  joy  set  before  him  endured  a  cross,  thinking  little  of  the 
shame,  and  has  taken  his  seat  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne 
of  God.  Think  of  him  who  endured  such  hostile  speaking  of 
sinners  against  him,  that  you  may  not  grow  weary  and  despond¬ 
ent  in  heart.  You  have  not  yet  resisted  to  blood  in  the  con¬ 
test  against  sin,  and  you  have  forgotten  the  encouragement 
which  reasons  with  you  as  with  sons,  “My  son,  do  not  think 
slightingly  of  the  discipline  of  the  Lord  and  be  not  faint¬ 
hearted  when  reproved  by  him:  for  whom  the  Lord  loves  he 
disciplines  and  scourges  every  son  whom  he  receives  as  his 
own.”  It  is  for  discipline  that  you  are  enduring.  God  is  laying 
it  upon  you  as  upon  sons.  For  what  son  is  there  whom  his 
father  does  not  discipline?  But  if  you  are  without  discipline, 
in  which  all  share,  then  you  are  bastards  and  not  sons.  Besides, 
we  had  fathers  of  our  flesh  who  disciplined  us  and  we  used  to 
reverence  them.  Shall  we  not  much  more  be  submissive  to  the 
Father  of  our  spirits  and  live?  For  they  for  a  few  days  dis¬ 
ciplined  us  as  seemed  good  to  them,  but  he  for  our  profit,  that 
we  may  share  his  holiness.  All  discipline  for  the  time  being 
seems  not  joyous  but  grievous,  but  afterward  it  yields  the 
peaceful  fruit  of  righteousness  to  those  who  have  passed 
through  its  training. 

So  raise  the  relaxed  hands  and  straighten  the  unstrung 
knees  and  make  straight  paths  for  your  feet,  so  that  the  lame 
limb  may  not  be  put  out  of  joint  but  rather  cured.  Follow 


384 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


after  peace  with  all  men  and  holiness,  without  which  no  one 
will  see  the  Lord.  Be  on  your  guard  that  no  one  shall  fail  of 
the  grace  of  God,  that  no  bitter  root  shall  sprout  up  and 
trouble  you  and  through  it  many  be  stained,  that  there  shall 
be  none  unchaste,  or  profane  like  Esau,  who  for  one  meal  sold 
his  birthright.  For  you  know  that  afterward  when  he  wished 
to  inherit  the  blessing  he  was  rejected,  for  he  found  no  place 
for  a  change  in  his  father’s  mind  though  he  sought  it  earnestly 
with  tears. 

For  you  have  not  come  to  something  that  may  be  touched, 
ablaze  with  fire,  and  to  blackness  and  darkness  and  tempest 
and  the  blast  of  a  trumpet  and  the  sound  of  words  which  those 
who  heard  begged  not  to  have  spoken  of  them.  For  they  could 
not  bear  the  command,  “If  even  an  animal  touches  the  moun¬ 
tain  it  must  be  stoned.”  And  so  dreadful  was  the  sight  that 
Moses  said,  “I  am  terrified  and  trembling.”  But  you  have 
come  to  Mount  Zion  and  the  city  of  the  living  God,  heavenly 
Jerusalem,  to  tens  of  thousands  of  angels,  to  the  festal  assembly 
and  congregation  of  first-born  who  are  enrolled  in  heaven,  and 
to  God  the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  righteous  men 
made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant 
and  to  the  sprinkled  blood  which  tells  something  better  than 
the  blood  of  Abel. 

Beware  of  rejecting  him  who  is  speaking.  For  if  those  did  not 
escape  who  rejected  him  who  taught  the  divine  will  on  earth, 
much  less  shall  we  if  we  reject  him  who  speaks  from  heaven. 
His  voice  then  shook  the  earth,  but  now  he  has  announced, 
“Yet  once  for  all  I  shall  shake  not  only  the  earth  but  also 
heaven.”  And  this  expression  “yet  once  for  all”  shows  the 
removal  of  the  things  shaken,  as  of  things  that  have  been 
made,  that  the  unshaken  things  may  remain.  So  then,  since 
we  are  receiving  an  unshaken  kingdom,  let  us  have  grace  by 
which  we  may  worship  God  acceptably  with  reverence  and 
awe.  For  our  God  is  a  consuming  fire. 

XIII 

Let  brotherly  love  continue.  Do  not  forget  hospitality :  for  by 
this  some  have,  without  knowing  it,  had  angels  as  their  guests. 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


385 


Keep  in  mind  the  prisoners,  as  if  you  were  their  fellow  prison¬ 
ers,  and  those  who  are  suffering  hardships,  since  you  your¬ 
selves  are  also  in  the  body. 

Let  marriage  be  held  in  honor  by  all  and  let  the  bed  be  un¬ 
defiled;  for  unchaste  persons  and  adulterers  God  will  judge. 

Let  your  lives  be  free  from  the  love  of  money.  Be  content 
with  what  you  have.  For  he  has  said,  “I  will  not  fail  you  nor 
will  I  forsake  you.”  So  we  may  say  with  courage,  “The  Lord 
is  my  helper;  I  will  not  fear.  What  can  man  do  to  me?” 

Remember  your  leaders,  those  who  have  spoken  to  you 
God’s  message,  think  how  they  ended  their  lives  and  imitate 
their  faith.  Jesus  Christ  is  yesterday  and  to-day  the  same  — 
yes,  and  through  the  ages. 

Do  not  be  carried  away  with  all  sorts  of  foreign  teachings. 
It  is  well  to  have  the  heart  strengthened  by  grace,  not  by 
special  kinds  of  food.  Those  who  live  in  that  way  are  not 
profited.  We  have  an  altar  of  which  those  who  worship  in  the 
Tent  have  no  right  to  eat.  For  the  bodies  of  the  animals 
whose  blood  is  brought  into  the  holy  place  by  the  High  Priest 
are  burned  outside  the  camp.  For  this  reason  Jesus  also,  to 
make  the  people  holy  by  his  own  blood,  suffered  outside  the 
gate.  Let  us  go  out  to  him  outside  the  camp  and  bear  the 
reproaches  cast  on  him.  For  we  have  here  no  continuing  city, 
but  we  are  seeking  the  coming  one.  Through  him  then  let  us 
offer  to  God  always  the  sacrifice  of  praise,  that  is,  the  fruit  of 
lips  that  make  confession  in  his  name.  Do  not  forget  kindness 
and  generosity,  for  with  such  sacrifices  God  is  well  pleased. 

Obey  your  leaders  and  yield  to  their  authority;  for  they 
watch  over  your  souls  as  those  who  must  give  account,  that  they 
may  do  it  with  joy  and  not  with  sighing.  That  would  be 
unprofitable  for  you. 

Pray  for  us :  for  we  are  confident  that  we  have  a  good  con¬ 
science,  wishing  to  live  nobly  in  every  way.  I  earnestly  beg 
you  to  do  this  that  I  may  be  restored  to  you  the  sooner. 

May  the  God  of  peace,  who  brought  up  from  the  dead  our 
Lord  Jesus,  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep  through  the  blood 
of  an  eternal  covenant,  equip  you  with  every  good  thing  for 
doing  his  will,  doing  in  you  what  is  well-pleasing  in  his  sight 


386 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 


through  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  be  glory  for  the  ages  of  the 
ages.  Amen. 

I  beg  you,  brethren,  to  bear  with  my  words  of  exhortation; 
for  I  have  written  to  you  briefly. 

I  wish  you  to  know  that  our  brother  Timothy  has  been  set 
at  liberty.  With  him,  if  he  comes  soon,  I  will  see  you. 

Give  my  greetings  to  all  your  leaders  and  all  the  holy.  Those 
who  are  from  Italy  send  their  greetings  to  you. 

Grace  be  with  you  all. 


THE  LETTER  OF  JAMES 


I 

James,  a  servant  of  God  and  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  the 
Twelve  Tribes  which  are  scattered  in  foreign  lands:  Greeting. 

Think  it  all  joy,  my  brethren,  when  you  fall  into  all  sorts  of 
trials,  since  you  know  that  the  testing  of  your  faith  brings  out 
endurance.  Let  endurance  do  its  complete  work,  that  you  may 
be  complete  and  perfect,  lacking  in  nothing. 

If  any  one  of  you  is  lacking  in  wisdom,  let  him  ask  it  from 
God,  who  gives  to  all  freely  without  reproaching,  and  it  will  be 
given  to  him.  But  he  must  ask  in  faith  with  never  a  doubt. 
For  he  who  doubts  is  like  a  wave  of  the  sea,  driven  by  the 
wind  and  tossed.  For  that  man  must  not  think  that  he  will 
obtain  anything  from  the  Lord  —  a  two-minded  man  unsteady 
in  all  his  ways. 

Let  the  lowly  brother  glory  in  his  high  station,  and  let  the 
rich  brother  glory  in  his  lowly  station,  for  he  will  pass  away  like 
a  flower  of  the  grass.  For  the  sun  rises  with  scorching  heat 
and  dries  up  the  grass,  and  the  flower  of  it  falls  and  the  beauty 
of  its  face  perishes.  So  shall  the  rich  man  wither  in  his  pursuits. 

Blessed  is  the  man  who  endures  trial,  for  when  he  has  been 
tested  he  will  gain  the  crown  of  life  which  the  Lord  has  prom¬ 
ised  to  those  who  love  him. 

No  one  must  say  when  tempted,  “  My  temptation  comes  from 
God.”  For  God  cannot  be  tempted  by  evil,  and  he  tempts  no 
one.  Every  one  is  tempted  when  he  is  drawn  away  by  his  own 
passions  and  enticed.  Then  when  passion  has  conceived  it  gives 
birth  to  sin,  and  sin,  when  it  is  full  grown,  gives  birth  to  death. 

Make  no  mistake,  my  beloved  brethren,  every  good  gift  and 
every  perfect  boon  is  from  above;  it  descends  from  the  Father 
of  lights,  with  whom  there  is  no  change  or  shadow  caused  by 
turning.  Of  his  own  will  he  made  us  his  children  through  the 
message  of  truth,  so  that  we  might  be  a  sort  of  first  fruits  of 
his  creatures. 


388 


THE  LETTER  OF  JAMES 


I  wish  you  to  know  this,  my  beloved  brethren:  Every  man 
must  be  quick  to  hear,  but  slow  to  speak,  slow  to  anger.  For 
a  man’s  anger  does  not  work  out  God’s  righteousness.  So  lay 
aside  all  that  is  vile  and  all  that  remains  of  malice,  and  receive 
with  gentleness  the  implanted  message  which  can  save  your 
souls.  Become  doers  of  the  message  and  not  hearers  only, 
deceiving  your  own  selves.  For  if  one  is  a  hearer  of  the  message 
and  not  a  doer,  he  is  like  a  man  who  looks  at  his  natural  face 
in  a  mirror.  He  looks  at  himself  and  is  gone,  and  immediately 
forgets  what  sort  of  man  he  was.  But  he  who  looks  earnestly 
into  the  perfect  law  of  liberty  and  continues  to  do  so,  and 
becomes  not  a  forgetful  hearer  but  a  doer  of  work  —  that  man 
will  be  blessed  in  what  he  does. 

If  any  one  thinks  himself  religious  while  he  does  not  bridle 
his  tongue,  but  deceives  his  own  heart,  that  man’s  religion  is 
worthless.  Pure  and  stainless  religion  in  the  sight  of  God  the 
Father  is  to  visit  orphans  and  widows  in  their  trouble  and  to 
keep  one’s  self  unspotted  from  the  world. 

II 

My  brethren,  do  not  hold  the  faith  of  our  glorious  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  with  partiality  for  persons.  For  if  there  comes  into  your 
assembly  a  man  with  gold  rings  and  in  fine  clothes,  and  there 
comes  in  a  poor  man  in  soiled  clothes,  and  you  look  up  to  the 
man  who  is  wearing  the  fine  clothes  and  say,  “Take  this  good 
seat,”  and  say  to  the  poor  man,  “  Stand  there,”  or  “Sit  under 
my  footstool,”  are  you  not  making  distinctions  in  your  own 
minds  and  have  you  not  become  judges  with  wicked  thoughts? 
Listen,  my  beloved  brethren,  did  not  God  choose  the  poor  of 
this  world  to  be  rich  in  faith  and  heirs  of  the  kingdom  which  he 
has  promised  to  those  who  love  him?  But  you  have  dishonored 
the  poor  man.  Do  not  the  rich  oppress  you  and  drag  you  before 
courts?  Do  they  not  speak  profanely  of  the  noble  name  by 
which  you  are  called?  If  you  keep  the  royal  law  according  to 
the  Scripture,  “Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself,”  you 
do  well.  But  if  you  have  partiality,  you  commit  sin  and  are 
convicted  by  the  law  as  law-breakers.  For  he  who  keeps  the 
whole  law,  but  stumbles  in  one  point,  has  become  guilty  of  all. 


THE  LETTER  OF  JAMES 


389 


For  he  who  said,  “Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery,”  said 
also,  “Thou  shalt  not  commit  murder.”  If  you  do  not  commit 
adultery,  but  do  commit  murder,  you  have  become  a  law¬ 
breaker.  So  speak  and  so  act  as  those  who  are  soon  to  be  judged 
by  a  law  of  liberty.  For  judgment  is  merciless  to  him  who  has 
shown  no  mercy.  Mercy  triumphs  over  judgment. 

Of  what  use  is  it,  my  brethren,  for  any  one  to  say  that  he  has 
faith,  if  he  has  not  works?  Can  faith  save  him?  If  a  brother 
or  sister  is  naked  and  lacks  food  for  the  day  and  one  of  you  says 
to  them,  “Go  in  peace,  be  warmed  and  fed,”  but  you  do  not 
give  them  what  the  body  needs,  what  is  the  good  of  it?  Just  so 
faith  by  itself,  if  it  has  no  works,  is  dead.  But  some  one  will 
say,  “You  have  faith  and  I  have  works.  Show  me  your  faith 
without  your  works  and  I  will  show  you  my  faith  by  my  works.” 
You  have  faith  that  there  is  one  God.  You  do  well.  Even  the 
demons  have  that  faith,  and  they  shudder.  Are  you  willing  to 
learn,  O  vacant-minded  man,  that  faith  without  works  is  use¬ 
less?  Was  not  Abraham,  our  father,  pronounced  righteous  be¬ 
cause  of  works  when  he  laid  Isaac  his  son  on  the  altar?  You  see 
that  faith  worked  with  his  works,  and  by  works  faith  was  made 
perfect  and  the  Scripture  was  fulfilled  which  says,  “Abraham 
had  faith  in  God  and  it  was  credited  to  him  for  righteousness” 
and  he  was  called  “God’s  friend.”  You  see  that  a  man  is  pro¬ 
nounced  righteous  because  of  works  and  not  because  of  faith 
alone.  In  the  same  way  was  not  Rahab,  the  prostitute,  pro¬ 
nounced  righteous  because  of  works  when  she  had  received  the 
messengers  and  sent  them  out  by  a  different  road?  For  as  the 
body  without  the  spirit  is  dead,  so  faith  without  works  is  dead. 

Ill 

Do  not,  many  of  you,  become  teachers,  my  brethren,  for  you 
know  that  we  will  receive  severer  judgment.  For  in  many  ways 
we  all  stumble.  If  any  one  never  stumbles  in  his  talk,  he  is  a 
perfect  man,  able  to  bridle  also  the  whole  body.  If  we  put  bits 
into  the  horses’  mouths  to  make  them  obey  us,  we  turn  about 
their  whole  bodies.  See  the  ships;  great  as  they  are  and  driven 
by  violent  winds,  they  are  turned  about  by  a  very  small  rudder 
wherever  the  desire  of  the  helmsman  chooses.  Just  so  the 


390 


THE  LETTER  OF  JAMES 


tongue  is  a  small  member,  but  boasts  of  great  things.  Think 
how  small  a  fire  may  be  and  yet  how  vast  the  forest  that  it  may 
set  ablaze.  y 

And  the  tongue  is  a  fire,  a  world  of  wickedness.  The  tongue 
stands  among  our  members  as  that  which  spots  the  whole 
body  and  sets  on  fire  the  wheel  of  nature  and  is  itself  set  on  fire 
by  Gehenna.  For  every  kind  of  wild  beasts  and  birds  and 
reptiles  and  animals  from  the  sea  is  tamed  and  has  been  tamed 
by  human  kind,  but  the  tongue  no  man  is  able  to  tame.  It  is  a 
restless  evil;  it  is  full  of  deadly  poison.  With  it  we  bless  the 
Lord  our  Father  and  with  it  we  curse  the  men  who  are  made  in 
the  image  of  God.  From  the  same  mouth  come  blessing  and 
cursing.  This,  my  brethren,  should  not  be  so.  Does  a  spring 
pour  out  from  the  same  opening  sweet  water  and  bitter?  Can 
a  fig  tree,  my  brethren,  bear  olives,  or  a  vine  figs?  No  more 
can  salt  water  yield  fresh  water. 

Who  is  wise  and  intelligent  among  you?  Let  him  show  out  of 
the  noble  life  that  he  lives  his  works  in  wise  gentleness.  But  if 
you  have  bitter  jealousy  and  party-spirit  in  your  hearts,  do  not 
boast  and  falsely  contradict  the  truth.  This  wisdom  does  not 
come  down  from  on  high,  but  is  earthly,  animal,  demoniacal. 
For  where  jealousy  and  party-spirit  are,  there  is  confusion  and 
every  base  affair.  But  the  wisdom  from  on  high  is  first  pure, 
then  peaceable,  fair-minded,  easily  persuaded,  full  of  compas¬ 
sion  and  good  fruits,  impartial,  sincere.  The  fruit  of  righteous¬ 
ness  is  sown  in  peace  by  those  who  make  peace. 

IV 

Whence  come  wars  and  whence  come  strifes  among  you?  Is  it 
not  from  your  pleasures  which  carry  on  war  in  your  members? 
You  long  for  something  and  do  not  have  it.  You  murder  and 
envy  and  cannot  obtain  it.  You  battle  and  war.  You  do  not 
have,  because  of  your  not  asking.  You  ask  and  do  not  receive, 
because  you  ask  wickedly  to  waste  it  on  your  pleasures.  You 
adulteresses,  do  you  not  know  that  the  friendship  of  the  world 
is  enmity  to  God?  Whoever  chooses  to  be  a  friend  to  the  world 
stands  as  an  enemy  of  God.  Do  you  think  that  the  Scripture 
speaks  to  no  purpose?  Does  the  Spirit  which  he  made  dwell 


THE  LETTER  OF  JAMES 


391 


in  us  long  enviously?  But  he  gives  greater  grace.  Therefore  it 
says,  “  God  opposes  the  proud,  but  gives  grace  to  the  humble.” 
Submit  yourselves,  then,  to  God.  Resist  the  Devil  and  he  will 
flee  from  you.  Draw  near  to  God  and  he  will  draw  near  to  you. 
Make  your  hands  clean,  you  sinners,  and  purify  your  hearts, 
you  double-minded.  Be  sorrowful  and  mourn  and  lament. 
Let  your  laughter  be  turned  into  grief  and  your  gladness  into 
gloom.  Humble  yourselves  before  the  Lord  and  he  will  exalt 
you. 

Do  not  speak  against  one  another,  brethren.  He  who  speaks 
against  his  brother  speaks  against  the  law  and  judges  the  law. 
But  if  you  judge  the  law  you  are  not  a  doer  of  the  law,  but  a 
judge.  One  is  the  Lawgiver  and  Judge  —  he  who  is  able  to 
save  and  to  destroy.  Who  are  you,  to  judge  your  neighbor? 

Come,  now,  you  who  say,  “  To-day  or  to-morrow  we  will  go 
to  such  a  city  and  spend  a  year  and  do  business  and  make 
money,”  though  you  do  not  know  what  your  life  will  be  like  on 
the  morrow.  For  you  are  a  vapor  that  appears  for  a  little  while 
and  then  disappears.  You  should  rather  say,  “  If  the  Lord  wills 
it,  we  shall  live  and  do  this  or  that.”  But  now  you  glory  in 
bragging.  All  such  glorying  is  evil.  If  any  one,  then,  knows 
how  to  do  good  and  is  not  doing  it,  he  is  committing  sin. 

V 

Come,  now,  you  rich  men,  wail  and  lament  over  the  miseries 
that  are  coming  upon  you.  Your  riches  have  rotted  and  your 
garments  have  become  moth-eaten,  your  gold  and  silver  are 
rusted  over  and  the  rust  on  them  will  be  an  evidence  against  you 
and  will  eat  your  flesh  like  fire.  You  have  laid  up  treasures 
in  the  last  days.  See,  the  wages  of  the  laborers  who  reaped 
your  fields,  fraudulently  kept  back  by  you,  call  aloud,  and  the 
cries  of  the  harvesters  have  come  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of 
armies.  You  have  lived  luxuriously  in  the  land  and  have  given 
yourselves  up  to  pleasure.  You  have  fattened  your  hearts  in  a 
day  of  slaughter.  You  have  condemned,  you  have  murdered, 
the  righteous;  he  does  not  resist  you. 

Therefore  be  patient,  brethren,  until  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 
See  how  the  farmer  waits  for  the  precious  fruit  of  the  ground 


392 


THE  LETTER  OF  JAMES 


and  is  patient  over  it  until  he  receives  the  early  and  the  late 
rains.  You  too  must  be  patient.  Keep  your  hearts  steadfast, 
for  the  coming  of  the  Lord  is  near.  Do  not  fret  at  one  another, 
brethren,  and  then  you  will  not  be  judged.  The  Judge  is  stand¬ 
ing  before  your  doors.  Take,  brethren,  the  prophets  who  spoke 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  as  an  example  of  patience  in  suffering 
evil.  We  call  them  blessed  because  they  endured.  You  have 
heard  of  the  patience  of  Job  and  have  seen  the  end  of  the  Lord’s 
dealings  with  him,  that  the  Lord  is  very  tender  and  com¬ 
passionate. 

Above  all  things,  my  brethren,  do  not  swear,  either  by  heaven 
or  by  the  earth  or  by  any  other  oath.  Let  your  yes  be  yes  and 
your  no  be  no,  that  you  may  not  fall  under  condemnation. 

Is  any  one  of  you  suffering  hardship?  Let  him  pray.  Is  any 
one  cheerful?  Let  him  sing  with  the  harp.  Is  any  one  of  you 
sick?  Let  him  call  in  the  elders  of  the  church  and  let  them  pray 
over  him  and  anoint  him  with  olive  oil  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
The  prayer  of  faith  will  save  the  sick  and  the  Lord  will  raise 
him  up,  and  if  he  has  committed  sins  they  will  be  forgiven  him. 

Confess  your  sins  to  one  another  and  pray  for  one  another  in 
order  to  be  healed.  The  effective  prayer  of  a  righteous  man 
has  great  power.  Elijah  was  a  man  of  the  same  weaknesses 
as  ours,  and  he  prayed  earnestly  that  it  might  not  rain  and  it 
did  not  rain  on  the  land  for  three  years  and  six  months.  Then 
he  prayed  again  and  heaven  gave  rain  and  the  land  brought 
forth  its  fruits. 

My  brethren,  if  one  of  you  strays  from  the  truth  and  any  one 
brings  him  back,  I  wish  you  to  know  that  he  who  brings  back 
a  sinner  from  his  wanderings  will  save  his  soul  from  death  and 
will  hide  a  host  of  sins. 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  PETER 


i 

Peter,  an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  Chosen  Ones  of  the 
scattered  Jews  in  foreign  lands  who  are  living  in  Pontus, 
Galatia,  Cappadocia,  Asia  and  Bithynia  —  chosen  according 
to  the  foreknowledge  of  God  the  Father  and  made  holy  by  the 
Spirit  to  obey  Jesus  Christ  and  be  sprinkled  with  his  blood: 

Grace  be  to  you  and  peace  be  multiplied. 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
according  to  his  great  mercy  has  given  us  a  new  birth  into  a 
living  hope  through  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the 
dead  —  a  birth  into  an  inheritance  immortal,  unstained  and 
unfading,  kept  in  heaven  for  you  who  are  guarded  by  the  power 
of  God  through  faith  for  the  salvation  which  is  ready  to  be 
revealed  on  the  last  day.  In  this  you  rejoice,  though  now  for  a 
little  while,  if  necessary,  you  are  sorrowful  in  trials  of  many 
kinds,  so  that  your  tested  faith,  much  more  precious  than 
gold  that  perishes  though  tested  by  fire,  may  be  found  to  your 
praise  and  glory  and  honor  when  Jesus  Christ  is  revealed, 
whom  you  love  though  you  have  not  seen  him;  in  whom  you 
have  faith  though  now  you  do  not  see  him,  and  you  rejoice 
with  unspeakable  and  glorious  joy  while  you  receive  the  re¬ 
ward  of  your  faith,  the  salvation  of  your  souls. 

Regarding  this  salvation  the  prophets  who  foretold  the  grace 
that  was  to  come  to  you  inquired  and  searched,  trying  to  find 
out  what  time,  or  what  sort  of  time,  the  Spirit  of  Christ  which 
was  in  them  was  disclosing  when  it  witnessed  beforehand 
regarding  the  sufferings  of  Christ  and  the  glories  to  follow. 
It  was  revealed  to  them  that  they  were  serving  not  themselves 
but  you,  in  these  things  which  now  have  been  announced  to 
you  through  those  who  have  told  you  the  good  news  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  sent  forth  from  heaven  —  things  which  angels 
earnestly  long  to  look  into. 

Therefore  brace  up  your  minds,  be  calm  and  set  your  hope 


394 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  PETER 


perfectly  on  the  grace  that  is  to  be  brought  to  you  when  Jesus 
Christ  is  revealed.  As  obedient  children,  do  not  shape  your 
lives  by  the  passions  that  ruled  you  in  the  former  days  of 
ignorance,  but,  like  the  Holy  One  who  has  called  you,  become 
yourselves  holy  in  all  your  way  of  life,  for  it  is  written,  “You 
shall  be  holy  because  I  am  holy.”  And  if  you  call  upon  him  as 
Father  who  impartially  judges  by  each  one’s  work,  live  out  the 
time  of  your  sojourn  here  in  reverence,  for  you  know  that  you 
were  not  ransomed  with  perishable  things,  silver  or  gold,  from 
your  purposeless  life  handed  down  from  your  forefathers,  but 
by  precious  blood,  as  of  a  faultless,  spotless  lamb,  the  blood  of 
Christ,  who  was  foreknown  before  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
but  was  manifested  at  the  end  of  time  for  your  sake  who  through 
him  are  faithful  to  God,  who  raised  him  from  the  dead  and  gave 
him  glory,  so  that  your  faith  and  hope  are  in  God. 

Now  that  you  have  made  your  souls  holy  by  obedience  to 
the  truth  for  sincere  brotherly  love,  you  must  love  one  another 
steadily  from  your  hearts,  for  you  have  been  reborn,  not  from 
mortal  seed  but  from  immortal  by  the  living  and  enduring 
word  of  God.  For  “All  flesh  is  like  grass  and  all  its  glory  is  like 
the  flower  of  the  grass;  the  grass  withers  and  the  flower  falls, 
but  the  word  of  the  Lord  endures  forever.”  And  this  is  the 
word  of  good  news  that  has  been  brought  to  you. 

II 

Then  lay  aside  all  malice  and  all  deceit  and  hypocrisy  and 
envy  and  every  kind  of  slander,  and,  like  new-born  babes,  long 
for  the  reasonable  pure  milk,  that  by  it  you  may  grow  up  into 
salvation,  if  you  have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  kind.  Coming  to 
him,  a  living  stone,  rejected  by  men  but  with  the  Lord  chosen 
and  precious,  you  also  as  living  stones  are  built  up,  a  spiritual 
house,  and  become  a  holy  priesthood  to  offer  spiritual  sacri¬ 
fices  acceptable  to  God  through  Jesus  Christ.  Therefore  it  is 
contained  in  Scripture,  “  See,  I  am  laying  in  Zion  a  chosen  stone, 
an  honored  corner  stone.  He  who  has  faith  in  him  will  not  be 
put  to  shame.”  To  you  who  have  faith  is  the  “honor,”  but  to 
the  unbelieving  “the  stone  which  the  builders  rejected  —  that 
has  become  the  corner  stone,  a  stone  for  the  foot  to  strike,  a 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  PETER  395 

rock  to  stumble  over.”  Their  feet  strike  the  message  because 
of  their  unbelief,  and  to  this  they  were  destined. 

But  you  are  a  chosen  race,  a  kingly  priesthood,  a  holy  nation, 
God’s  own  people,  that  you  may  proclaim  the  virtues  of  him 
who  called  you  from  darkness  into  his  wonderful  light.  Once 
you  were  not  a  people,  but  now  you  are  the  people  of  God: 
once  you  had  not  found  compassion,  but  now  you  have  found 
compassion. 

Beloved,  I  beg  you,  as  foreigners  and  resident  aliens,  to  shun 
the  passions  of  the  flesh  which  war  against  the  soul.  Keep  your 
daily  life  among  the  Gentiles  honorable,  so  that,  although  they 
talk  against  you  as  if  you  were  wrongdoers,  they  may,  from 
your  noble  deeds  that  they  see,  glorify  God  on  the  day  of  in¬ 
spection. 

Be  submissive  to  every  human  institution  for  the  Lord’s 
sake,  whether  to  the  king  as  supreme,  or  to  governors  as  those 
sent  by  him  for  the  punishment  of  wrongdoers  and  the  praise 
of  those  who  do  good.  For  this  is  the  will  of  God  —  that  by 
doing  good  we  shall  silence  the  ignorance  of  thoughtless  men. 
Live  as  free  men,  yet  not  using  freedom  as  a  cloak  for  wicked¬ 
ness,  but  as  God’s  slaves.  Honor  all  men,  love  the  brotherhood, 
reverence  God,  honor  the  king. 

Household  servants,  be  submissive  with  all  reverence  to  your 
lords,  not  only  to  the  good  and  fair,  but  also  to  the  surly.  For 
this  is  grace  if  for  conscience  toward  God  any  one  bears  pain, 
suffering  unjustly.  For  what  credit  is  it  if  when  you  sin  and 
are  struck  with  the  fist  you  are  patient?  But  if  though  doing 
well,  you  suffer  and  are  patient,  that  is  grace  in  God’s  sight. 
For  to  this  you  were  called,  because  Christ  too  suffered  for 
you,  leaving  you  an  example  that  you  might  follow  in  his  foot¬ 
steps.  He  had  done  no  sin,  nor  was  deceit  found  in  his  mouth. 
When  he  was  reviled  he  did  not  revile  back;  he  suffered,  but 
made  no  threat;  he  committed  himself  to  him  who  judges 
justly.  He  bore  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree  that  we 
might  die  to  sins  and  live  to  righteousness.  For  you  were  going 
astray  like  sheep,  but  have  now  returned  to  the  shepherd  and 
guardian  of  your  souls. 


396 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  PETER 


hi 

In  the  same  way  you  wives  are  to  be  submissive  to  your  own 
husbands,  so  that  if  any  disbelieve  the  message  they  may  be 
won  over  by  the  lives  of  their  wives  without  argument,  when 
they  look  at  your  pure,  reverential  behavior.  Your  adornment 
must  not  be  of  the  external  kind  —  braiding  the  hair  and  put¬ 
ting  on  gold  and  wearing  fine  dresses;  but  the  hidden  personal¬ 
ity  of  the  heart  must  wear  the  imperishable  beauty  of  a  gentle 
and  quiet  spirit,  which  is  in  God’s  sight  most  precious.  For 
so  of  old  the  holy  women  who  hoped  in  God  adorned  them¬ 
selves.  They  were  submissive  to  their  own  husbands,  as  Sarah 
obeyed  Abraham  and  called  him  Master.  You  have  become 
her  children  when  you  do  well  and  feel  no  terror. 

In  the  same  way,  you  husbands  must  live  with  your  wives 
wisely,  since  woman’s  sex  is  weaker,  but  you  must  give  them 
honor  as  fellow  heirs  of  the  grace  of  life,  so  that  your  prayers 
may  not  be  hindered. 

Finally,  all  must  be  like-minded,  sympathetic,  full  of  broth¬ 
erly  love,  compassionate,  humble-minded,  not  repaying  evil  for 
evil  or  abuse  for  abuse,  but  rather  blessing,  for  that  is  what  you 
were  called  for  —  to  inherit  a  blessing.  For  “He  who  would 
love  life  and  see  good  days  must  keep  his  tongue  from  evil  and 
his  lips  from  speaking  deceit.  He  must  turn  away  from  evil  and 
do  good;  he  must  seek  peace  and  pursue  it.  For  the  eyes  of  the 
Lord  are  upon  the  righteous  and  his  ears  are  open  to  their 
prayer,  but  the  face  of  the  Lord  is  against  wrongdoers.” 

And  who  is  it  that  will  harm  you  if  you  become  earnest  for 
the  good?  Rut  if  you  should  suffer  for  being  righteous,  you  are 
blessed.  Have  no  fear  of  them  and  do  not  be  disturbed;  but 
exalt  Christ  as  Lord  in  your  hearts  and  be  always  ready  to  de¬ 
fend  yourselves  to  every  one  who  asks  you  to  give  account  of 
the  hope  that  is  in  you,  yet  with  gentleness  and  reverence. 
Keep  a  good  conscience  that,  although  you  are  slandered, 
those  who  misrepresent  your  good  life  in  Christ  may  be  put  to 
shame.  For  it  is  better  to  suffer,  if  that  should  be  God’s  will, 
for  doing  good  than  for  doing  wrong.  For  Christ  once  for  all 
died  for  sins,  a  righteous  man  for  unrighteous  men,  so  that  he 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  PETER 


397 


might  lead  us  to  God.  He  was  put  to  death  in  the  flesh,  but 
made  alive  in  the  spirit,  in  which  he  went  and  made  proclama¬ 
tion  to  the  imprisoned  spirits  |who  were  once  disobedient, 
when  the  long-suffering  of  God  waited  in  the  days  of  Noah 
while  the  ark  was  being  prepared,  into  which  a  few,  that  is 
eight  souls,  went  and  were  saved  through  water.  This  is  a 
type  of  baptism,  which  now  saves  us  —  not  the  putting  off  of 
soil  from  the  flesh,  but  the  endeavor  for  a  good  conscience 
toward  God  through  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ.  Now 
that  he  has  gone  into  heaven  he  is  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  and 
angels  and  authorities  and  powers  have  been  made  subject  to 
him. 


IV 

Since,  then,  Christ  suffered  in  the  flesh,  you  also  must  arm 
yourselves  with  the  same  mind.  For  he  who  has  suffered  in  the 
flesh  has  ceased  from  sin,  so  that  he  does  not  go  on  living  what 
remains  of  his  time  in  the  flesh  according  to  human  passions, 
but  according  to  God’s  will.  The  time  that  has  passed  was 
enough  to  spend  doing  the  will  of  the  Gentiles,  when  you  went 
on  in  indecencies,  passions,  hard  drinking,  revelries,  carous- 
ings,  and  lawless  idolatries.  In  these  they  think  it  strange 
that  you  are  not  running  with  them  to  the  same  excess  of 
profligacy,  and  they  slander  you.  But  they  will  have  to  give 
account  to  him  who  holds  himself  ready  to  judge  the  living  and 
the  dead.  And  for  this  purpose  the  good  news  was  told  even  to 
the  dead,  that  they  might  be  judged  like  men  in  the  flesh,  but 
live  as  God  does  in  the  spirit. 

The  end  of  all  things  is  near.  Therefore  be  serious  and  sober 
and  give  yourselves  to  prayer.  Above  all  things  have  earnest 
love  to  one  another,  for  love  hides  a  host  of  sins.  Be  hospitable 
to  one  another  without  grumbling.  Let  each,  as  he  has  re¬ 
ceived  a  spiritual  gift,  serve  the  others  in  that  way,  as  good 
stewards  of  the  varied  grace  of  God.  If  any  one  speaks,  let  it 
be  as  uttering  the  oracles  of  God.  If  any  one  serves,  let  it  be 
from  the  strength  that  God  supplies.  Thus  in  all  things  let 
God  be  glorified  through  Jesus  Christ.  To  him  be  glory  and 
strength  for  the  ages  of  the  ages!  Amen. 


398 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  PETER 


Beloved,  do  not  be  surprised  at  the  fiery  fury  that  is  among 
you,  which  has  come  to  try  you,  as  if  some  strange  thing  were 
happening  to  you.  But  rejoice  since  to  this  extent  you  are 
sharing  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  that  when  his  glory  is  re¬ 
vealed  you  may  rejoice  and  exult.  If  you  are  reproached  for 
the  name  of  Christ  you  are  blessed,  for  the  spirit  of  glory  and  of 
God  rests  upon  you.  No  one  of  you  must  suffer  as  a  murderer 
or  as  a  thief  or  as  a  wrongdoer  or  as  a  meddler  in  other  men’s  af¬ 
fairs.  But  if  he  suffers  as  a  Christian  he  should  not  be  ashamed, 
but  should  glorify  God  by  that  name.  For  the  time  has  come 
for  judgment  to  begin  at  the  house  of  God.  And  if  it  begins 
first  with  us,  what  will  be  the  end  of  those  who  disobey  the 
good  news  of  God?  If  the  righteous  is  saved  with  difficulty, 
where  will  the  godless  and  sinful  appear?  So  then  let  those  who 
are  suffering  according  to  the  will  of  God  commit  their  souls  in 
well-doing  to  a  faithful  Creator. 

V 

The  elders  among  you  I  beg  —  I  who  am  a  fellow  elder  and  a 
witness  to  the  sufferings  of  Christ  and  a  sharer  in  the  glory  soon 
to  be  revealed  —  I  beg  you  to  shepherd  the  flock  of  God  that  is 
among  you,  not  because  you  must,  but  willingly,  not  for  base 
gain,  but  eagerly,  not  lording  it  over  your  charges,  but  becom¬ 
ing  examples  to  the  flock.  Then  when  the  chief  Shepherd  ap¬ 
pears  you  will  be  repaid  with  the  never-fading  crown  of  glory. 

In  the  same  way  you  younger  men  must  be  subject  to  your 
elders.  You  all  must  put  on  the  apron  of  humble  service  for 
one  another.  For  God  opposes  the  proud,  but  gives  grace  to  the 
humble. 

Humble  yourselves,  then,  under  the  mighty  hand  of  God  so 
that  he  may  lift  you  up  at  the  right  time.  Cast  all  your  anxiety 
on  him,  for  he  cares  for  you.  Be  sober,  watch.  Your  enemy  the 
Devil,  like  a  roaring  lion,  goes  about  seeking  some  one  to 
devour.  Resist  him  firm  in  the  faith  and  knowing  that  the 
same  experiences  of  suffering  are  being  completed  in  your 
brotherhood  throughout  the  world. 

The  God  of  all  grace,  who  called  you  to  his  eternal  glory  in 
Christ,  after  you  have  suffered  a  little  will  equip,  establish  and 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  PETER  399 

strengthen  you.  To  him  be  power  for  the  ages  of  the  ages! 
Amen. 

By  Silvanus,  your  faithful  brother,  as  I  esteem  him,  I  am 
writing  to  you  briefly,  to  encourage  you  and  to  testify  that 
this  is  the  true  grace  of  God.  Take  your  stand  in  it. 

She  who  is  in  Babylon,  chosen  with  you,  sends  her  greetin 
to  you,  and  so  does  Mark  my  son.  Salute  one  another  with 
kiss  of  love. 

Peace  be  to  you  all  in  Christ. 


biD  c3 


THE  SECOND  LETTER  OF  PETER 


i 

Simon  Peter,  a  servant  and  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  those 
who  by  the  righteousness  of  our  God  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ 
have  been  allotted  a  faith  as  precious  as  ours: 

Grace  be  to  you  and  peace  be  multiplied  in  the  knowledge 
of  God  and  of  Jesus  our  Lord. 

Since  his  divine  power  has  given  us  all  things  helpful  to  life 
and  piety  through  the  knowledge  of  him  who  has  called  us  by 
his  own  glory  and  virtue,  and  thereby  great  and  precious 
promises  have  been  granted  to  us,  that  through  them  you  may 
escape  the  corruption  that  is  in  the  world  through  passion  and 
become  sharers  in  the  divine  nature,  for  this  very  reason  make 
it  your  whole  endeavor  to  supply  to  your  faith  virtue,  and  to 
your  virtue  knowledge,  and  to  your  knowledge  self-control,  and 
to  your  self-control  endurance,  and  to  your  endurance  rever¬ 
ence,  and  to  your  reverence  brotherliness,  and  to  your  brother¬ 
liness  love.  For  when  you  have  these  in  abundance  they  make 
you  to  be  neither  idle  nor  fruitless  regarding  the  knowledge  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  But  he  who  lacks  these  is  blind,  dim- 
sighted,  and  has  forgotten  that  he  was  cleansed  from  his  former 
sins. 

Therefore  endeavor  more  earnestly,  brethren,  to  make  sure 
that  you  have  been  called  and  chosen.  For  while  doing  these 
things  you  will  never  stumble.  For  so  entrance  into  the  eternal 
kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ  will  be  richly 
provided  for  you. 

For  this  reason  I  shall  always  keep  reminding  you  of  these 
things,  although  you  know  them  and  are  steadfast  in  the  truth 
that  you  have.  I  think  it  right  so  long  as  I  am  in  this  tent  to 
arouse  you  by  reminding  you,  since  I  know  that  the  laying 
aside  of  my  tent  will  come  soon,  as  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has 
made  plain  to  me.  I  will  endeavor  also  on  every  occasion  to 


THE  SECOND  LETTER  OF  PETER 


401 


make  it  so  that  after  my  going  you  shall  have  these  things  in 
memory.  For  we  were  not  following  cunningly  devised  myths 
when  we  told  you  of  the  power  and  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  but  we  had  been  eye-witnesses  of  his  majesty.  For  he 
received  from  God  the  Father  honor  and  glory  when  such 
words  as  these  were  borne  to  him  from  the  majestic  glory, 
“This  is  my  Son,  the  Beloved;  in  him  I  delight.”  And  this 
voice  we  heard  borne  from  heaven  when  we  were  with  him  on 
the  holy  mountain.  Thus  have  we  the  words  of  the  prophets 
confirmed,  and  you  will  do  well  to  give  attention  to  them  as 
to  a  lamp  shining  in  a  dark  place,  until  the  day  dawns  and  the 
morning  star  rises  in  your  hearts;  since  you  know  this  first, 
that  no  prophecy  of  Scripture  comes  from  any  one’s  private 
interpretation,  for  prophecy  never  came  by  the  will  of  man, 
but  men  spoke  from  God  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy 
Spirit. 


II 

But  false  prophets  also  arose  among  the  people,  just  as  there 
will  be  false  teachers  among  yourselves,  and  they  will  craftily 
bring  in  deadly  heresies,  even  disowning  the  Lord  who  bought 
them  and  bringing  on  themselves  quick  ruin.  Many  will  follow 
their  shameless  ways  and  by  these  the  path  of  truth  will  be 
profanely  spoken  of.  In  covetousness  they  will  make  gain  out 
of  you  by  their  cunning  words.  But  their  condemnation  from 
of  old  has  not  been  inactive,  and  their  destruction  has  not  been 
sleeping.  For  if  God  did  not  spare  angels  that  had  sinned,  but 
thrust  them  down  to  Tartarus  and  committed  them  to  pits 
of  darkness  to  be  kept  for  judgment,  and  did  not  spare  the 
ancient  world,  but  guarded  Noah,  a  herald  of  righteousness, 
and  seven  others,  when  he  brought  the  flood  on  the  world  of 
the  ungodly;  and  if  reducing  to  ashes  the  cities  of  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah  he  condemned  them  to  destruction,  making  them 
an  example  for  the  godless  of  what  would  come  upon  them,  and 
rescued  righteous  Lot  worn  out  by  the  indecent  lives  of  the 
lawless,  —  for  that  righteous  man  living  among  them  was 
tortured  day  and  night  in  his  righteous  soul  by  the  sight  and 
hearing  of  their  lawless  deeds,  —  the  Lord  knows  how  to  rescue 


402 


THE  SECOND  LETTER  OF  PETER 


the  pious  from  trial  and  how  to  keep  the  wicked  under  punish¬ 
ment  for  the  day  of  judgment,  especially  those  who  go  after 
flesh  in  polluting  passions,  and  despise  lordship.  They  are 
daring,  self-willed;  they  do  not  tremble  to  speak  insultingly  of 
glorious  beings  even  where  angels  greater  in  strength  and 
power  do  not  bring  against  them  an  insulting  charge  before 
the  Lord.  But  they,  like  irrational  creatures,  born  mere  animals 
for  capture  and  destruction,  while  speaking  profanely  of  things 
they  are  ignorant  of,  will  be  corrupted  by  their  own  corruption, 
and  will  suffer  unrighteously  as  the  reward  of  their  own  unright¬ 
eousness.  They  think  it  pleasure  to  revel  in  the  daytime.  They 
are  spots  and  blots  as  they  revel  in  their  deceptions  while  they 
feast  sumptuously  with  you.  They  have  eyes  engrossed  with 
some  adulteress,  eyes  which  never  cease  from  sin.  They  seduce 
unsteady  souls.  They  have  hearts  practiced  in  covetousness. 
They  are  children  of  a  curse.  Leaving  the  straight  path  they 
have  wandered  away  following  the  path  of  Balaam  the  son  of 
Beor,  who  loved  the  wages  of  unrighteousness.  But  he  was 
reproved  for  his  sin;  a  dumb  beast  of  draught,  speaking  with 
human  voice,  checked  the  madness  of  the  prophet.  These  men 
are  springs  without  water,  storm-driven  mists  for  whom' the 
blackness  of  darkness  is  reserved.  For  by  speaking  great  empty 
swelling  words  they  entrap  in  the  passions  of  the  flesh  — 
wanton  excesses  —  those  who  are  nearly  escaping  from  those 
who  live  in  error.  While  they  promise  them  liberty  they  them¬ 
selves  are  the  slaves  of  corruption;  for  by  whatever  any  one  is 
overcome  to  that  he  is  enslaved.  For  if,  after  they  have  escaped 
the  defilement  of  the  world  by  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  and 
Savior  Jesus  Christ,  they  have  been  again  entangled  and 
overcome,  their  last  state  has  become  worse  than  the  first. 
For  it  would  be  better  for  them  not  to  have  known  the  way  of 
righteousness  than  after  knowing  it  to  turn  back  from  the 
holy  commandment  that  has  been  committed  to  them.  That 
has  happened  to  them  which  the  true  proverb  says,  “The  dog 
returns  to  his  own  vomit  and  the  sow  after  bathing  returns  to 
wallowing  in  the  mire.” 


THE  SECOND  LETTER  OF  PETER 


403 


III 

This  second  letter,  beloved,  I  am  writing  you.  In  both  I  have 
tried,  by  awakening  your  memory,  to  arouse  your  honest 
minds  to  recall  the  predictions  of  the  holy  prophets  and  the 
commands  of  your  apostles  from  the  Lord  and  Savior.  First 
you  should  know  this,  that  in  the  last  days  scoffers  will  come 
with  their  scoffing,  living  according  to  their  own  passions  and 
saying,  “Where  is  his  promised  coming?  for  since  the  fathers 
fell  asleep  all  things  remain  as  they  have  been  since  the  be¬ 
ginning  of  the  creation?”  For  they  willfully  forget  that  there 
were  heavens  of  old  and  an  earth  formed  out  of  water  and 
through  water  by  God’s  word.  By  these  means  the  world  that 
then  was  was  flooded  with  water  and  destroyed.  But  the 
present  heavens  and  the  earth  are  by  the  same  word  treasured 
up  and  kept  for  fire  on  the  day  of  judgment  and  destruction  of 
ungodly  men. 

Do  not  forget  this  one  thing,  beloved,  that  one  day  with  the 
Lord  is  like  a  thousand  years  and  a  thousand  years  are  like  one 
day.  The  Lord  is  not  slow  about  what  he  has  promised,  as  some 
think  of  slowness,  but  is  long-suffering  toward  us,  wishing  not 
to  have  any  perish  but  to  have  all  come  to  a  change  of  heart. 
But  the  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  like  a  thief.  On  that  day  the 
heavens  will  pass  away  with  a  loud  noise  and  the  burning 
elements  will  be  dissolved  and  the  earth  and  the  things  in  it 
will  not  be  found.  Since  all  of  these  things  are  to  be  dissolved, 
what  sort  of  persons  ought  you  to  be  in  holy  lives  and  piety, 
you  who  are  looking  for  and  hastening  toward  the  coming  of 
the  day  of  God,  when  the  blazing  heavens  will  be  dissolved  and 
the  burning  elements  melted? 

But  according  to  his  promise  we  are  expecting  new  heavens 
and  a  new  earth  in  which  righteousness  will  dwell.  Therefore, 
beloved,  since  you  expect  this,  endeavor  earnestly  to  be  found 
by  him  in  peace,  spotless  and  faultless,  and  regard  the  long- 
suffering  of  our  Lord  as  salvation,  as  also  our  beloved  brother 
Paul  has  written  to  you,  according  to  the  wisdom  given  to  him. 
So  he  writes  in  all  his  letters  when  speaking  in  them  of  these 
things.  In  those  letters  are  some  things  hard  to  understand, 


404 


THE  SECOND  LETTER  OF  PETER 


and  these  the  unlearned  and  unsteady  twist,  as  they  do  the 
rest  of  the  Scriptures,  to  their  own  ruin. 

You,  then,  beloved,  since  you  know  these  things  beforehand, 
be  on  your  guard  not  to  be  led  away  by  the  error  of  the  lawless 
and  fall  from  your  own  steadfastness,  but  grow  in  grace  and 
in  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ. 

To  him  be  glory  now  and  to  the  day  of  eternity! 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  JOHN 


i 

What  was  from  the  beginning,  what  we  have  heard,  what  we 
have  seen  with  our  eyes,  what  we  looked  upon  and  our  hands 
touched  —  it  is  about  the  Word  of  Life  (the  Life  appeared  and 
we  saw  and  testify  to  it  and  tell  you  of  the  Life  eternal  which 
was  with  the  Father  and  appeared  to  us)  —  what  we  have  seen 
and  heard  we  are  telling  you  also,  so  that  you  may  have  fellow¬ 
ship  with  us.  And  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father  and  with 
his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  We  are  writing  this  that  our  joy  may  be 
complete. 

This  is  the  message  which  we  have  heard  from  him  and  tell 
to  you,  God  is  light  and  in  him  is  no  darkness  at  all.  If  we  say, 
“We  have  fellowship  with  him,”  and  live  in  darkness,  we  lie 
and  are  not  acting  the  truth.  If  we  live  in  the  light,  as  he  is  in 
the  light,  we  have  fellowship  with  one  another  and  the  blood  of 
Jesus  his  Son  cleanses  us  from  all  sin.  If  we  say,  “We  have  no 
sin,”  we  deceive  ourselves  and  the  truth  is  not  in  us.  If  we 
confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins 
and  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness.  If  we  say,  “We  have 
not  sinned,”  we  make  him  a  liar  and  his  message  is  not  in  us. 

II 

My  children,  I  am  writing  this  to  you  in  order  that  you  may 
not  sin.  Even  if  any  one  sins,  we  have  an  advocate  with  the 
Father,  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  righteous.  And  he  is  an  atoning 
sacrifice  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only  but  for  those  of  the 
whole  world.  By  this  we  know  that  we  have  come  to  know  him, 
if  we  keep  his  commands.  He  who  says,  “I  know  him,”  and 
does  not  keep  his  commands,  is  a  liar  and  truth  is  not  in  him. 
But  whoever  keeps  his  word,  truly  in  him  the  love  of  God  has 
been  made  perfect.  By  this  we  know  that  we  are  in  him.  He 
who  says  that  he  is  abiding  in  him  ought  himself  to  live  as  he 
lived. 


406 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  JOHN 


Beloved,  I  am  not  writing  a  new  command  for  you,  but  an 
old  command,  which  you  have  had  from  the  beginning.  The 
old  command  is  the  message  that  you  have  heard.  Again  I  am 
writing  a  new  command,  which  is  true  in  him  and  in  you,  be¬ 
cause  the  darkness  is  passing  away  and  the  true  Light  is 
already  shining.  He  who  says  that  he  is  in  the  light  and  hates 
his  brother  is  in  darkness  still.  He  who  loves  his  brother 
remains  in  the  light  and  there  is  no  stumbling  block  in  him. 
He  who  hates  his  brother  is  in  darkness  and  walks  in  darkness 
and  knows  not  where  he  is  going,  because  the  darkness  has 
blinded  his  eyes. 

I  am  writing  to  you,  little  children,  because  your  sins  have 
been  forgiven  for  his  name’s  sake.  I  am  writing  to  you,  fathers, 
because  you  have  come  to  know  him  who  has  been  from  the 
beginning.  I  am  writing  to  you,  young  men,  because  you  have 
conquered  the  Evil  One. 

I  have  written  to  you,  little  children,  because  you  have  come 
to  know  the  Father.  I  have  written  to  you,  fathers,  because 
you  have  come  to  know  him  who  has  been  from  the  beginning. 
I  have  written  to  you,  young  men,  because  you  are  strong  and 
the  message  of  God  remains  in  you  and  you  have  conquered 
the  Evil  One. 

Do  not  love  the  world  nor  the  things  that  are  in  the  world. 
If  any  one  loves  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him; 
for  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the  passions  of  the  flesh  and  the  lust 
of  the  eyes  and  the  show  and  pride  of  life,  is  not  from  the  Father, 
but  from  the  world.  And  the  world  is  passing  away  with  its 
passions.  But  he  who  does  the  will  of  God  endures  forever. 

Little  children,  it  is  the  last  hour,  and  as  you  have  heard 
that  Antichrist  is  coming,  even  now  many  Antichrists  have 
arisen.  By  this  we  know  that  it  is  the  last  hour.  They  went 
out  from  us,  but  they  were  not  of  us,  for  if  they  had  been  of  us 
they  would  have  continued  with  us.  But  they  went  out  so  that 
it  might  be  plainly  seen  that  not  all  are  of  us.  You  have  an 
anointing  from  the  Holy  One  and  you  all  know.  I  am  not  writ¬ 
ing  to  you  because  you  do  not  know  the  truth,  but  because 
you  know  it  and  know  that  no  lie  is  from  the  truth. 

Who  is  a  liar  but  he  who  denies  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ? 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  JOHN 


407 


He  is  the  Antichrist  who  denies  the  Father  and  the  Son.  No 
one  who  denies  the  Son  has  the  Father  either.  He  who  con¬ 
fesses  the  Son  has  the  Father  also.  Let  what  you  have  heard 
from  the  beginning  remain  in  you.  If  what  you  have  heard 
from  the  beginning  remains  in  you,  you  also  will  remain  in  the 
Son  and  in  the  Father.  And  this  is  the  promise  that  he  has 
promised  us  —  the  life  eternal. 

I  am  writing  this  to  you  in  regard  to  those  who  are  mislead¬ 
ing  you.  But  as  for  you,  the  anointing  that  you  have  received 
from  him  remains  in  you  and  you  have  no  need  for  any  one  to 
teach  you,  but  as  his  anointing  teaches  you  about  all  things  and 
is  true  and  is  no  lie  and  as  it  has  taught  you,  you  must  remain 
in  him.  And  now,  little  children,  remain  in  him  so  that  if  he 
appears  we  may  have  confidence  and  not  shrink  in  shame  from 
him  at  his  coming.  If  you  know  that  he  is  righteous,  you  know 
that  every  one  who  does  righteousness  has  been  born  of  him. 

Ill 

See  what  love  the  Father  has  bestowed  on  us  that  we  should 
be  called  children  of  God.  And  so  we  are.  The  reason  why  the 
world  does  not  know  us  is  that  it  did  not  know  him.  Beloved, 
we  are  now  children  of  God  and  it  is  not  yet  plain  what  we 
shall  be.  But  we  know  that  if  he  appears  we  shall  be  like  him, 
for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is.  And  every  one  who  has  this  hope 
set  upon  Christ  purifies  himself  just  as  Christ  is  pure. 

Every  one  who  commits  sin  commits  also  lawlessness;  for 
sin  is  lawlessness.  You  know  that  Christ  appeared  to  take 
away  sins  and  in  him  there  is  no  sin.  Whoever  remains  in  him 
does  not  sin;  whoever  sins  has  not  seen  him  nor  known  him. 
Little  children,  let  no  one  deceive  you.  He  who  is  doing  right¬ 
eousness  is  righteous  as  Christ  is  righteous.  He  who  is  com¬ 
mitting  sin  is  of  the  Devil,  for  the  Devil  has  been  sinning  from 
the  beginning.  For  this  the  Son  of  God  appeared  —  to  undo 
the  works  of  the  Devil. 

No  one  who  has  been  born  of  God  commits  sin,  for  God’s 
life-giving  germ  remains  in  him  and  he  cannot  continue  sinning, 
because  he  has  been  born  of  God.  By  this  the  children  of  God 
are  plain  to  see,  also  the  children  of  the  Devil.  Every  one  who 


408 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  JOHN 


is  not  doing  righteousness  is  not  of  God,  nor  is  he  who  does  not 
love  his  brother.  For  this  is  the  message  which  you  have 
heard  from  the  beginning,  that  we  must  love  one  another.  Not 
like  Cain,  who  was  of  the  Wicked  One  and  killed  his  brother. 
And  for  what  reason  did  he  kill  him?  Because  his  own  deeds 
were  wicked  and  his  brother’s  righteous. 

Do  not  be  surprised,  brethren,  if  the  world  hates  you.  We 
know  that  we  have  passed  from  death  into  life  because  we  love 
the  brethren.  Whoever  does  not  love  remains  in  death.  Every 
one  who  hates  his  brother  is  a  murderer,  and  you  know  that  no 
murderer  has  life  eternal  remaining  in  him.  By  this  we  have 
come  to  know  love  —  that  Christ  laid  down  his  life  for  us,  and 
we  ought  to  lay  down  our  lives  for  the  brethren.  But  if  any  one 
has  this  world’s  goods  and  sees  his  brother  in  need  and  shuts 
away  his  sympathies  from  him,  how  can  the  love  of  God 
remain  in  him?  Let  us  not  love  in  word  or  in  tongue,  but  in 
deed  and  in  truth.  By  this  we  shall  know  that  we  are  of  the 
truth  and  shall  give  confidence  to  our  hearts  in  his  presence, 
because  if  our  hearts  condemn  us  God  is  greater  than  our  hearts 
and  knows  all  things.  Beloved,  if  our  hearts  do  not  condemn 
us  we  have  confidence  toward  God,  and  whatever  we  ask  we 
receive  from  him,  because  we  keep  his  commands  and  do  what 
is  pleasing  in  his  sight.  And  this  is  his  command  —  to  believe 
in  the  name  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  and  love  one  another  as  he 
has  given  us  command.  He  who  keeps  his  commands  remains 
in  God  and  God  remains  in  him.  By  this  we  know  that  God 
remains  in  us  —  by  the  Spirit  which  he  has  given  to  us. 

IV 

Beloved,  do  not  trust  every  spirit,  but  test  the  spirits  whether 
they  are  from  God.  For  many  false  prophets  have  come  out 
into  the  world.  By  this  we  know  the  Spirit  of  God:  every  spirit 
that  confesses  that  Jesus  Christ  has  come  in  the  flesh  is  from 
God,  and  no  spirit  that  does  not  confess  Jesus  is  from  God. 
This  is  the  spirit  of  Antichrist,  which  you  have  heard  is  com¬ 
ing  into  the  world  and  is  already  in  the  world.  But  you  are  of 
God,  little  children,  and  have  conquered  them,  because  he  who 
is  in  us  is  greater  than  he  who  is  in  the  world.  They  belong 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  JOHN 


409 


to  the  world  and  for  that  reason  they  speak  as  the  world 
speaks  and  the  world  listens  to  them.  We  are  of  God.  Who¬ 
ever  knows  God  listens  to  us :  whoever  is  not  of  God  does  not 
listen  to  us.  In  this  way  we  know  the  spirit  of  truth  and  the 
spirit  of  error. 

Beloved,  let  us  love  one  another,  for  love  is  from  God,  and 
every  one  who  loves  has  been  born  of  God  and  knows  God.  He 
who  does  not  love  does  not  know  God;  for  God  is  love.  By  this 
the  love  of  God  to  us  was  made  plain:  that  God  sent  his  only 
Son  into  the  world  so  that  we  may  have  life  through  him.  In 
this  is  love  —  not  that  we  loved  God,  but  that  he  loved  us  and 
sent  his  Son  to  be  an  atoning  sacrifice  for  our  sins. 

Beloved,  if  God  has  so  loved  us,  we  ought  also  to  love  one 
another.  No  one  has  ever  seen  God.  If  we  love  one  another 
God  abides  in  us  and  his  love  is  made  perfect  in  us.  By  this 
we  know  that  we  abide  in  him  and  he  in  us,  because  he  has 
imparted  to  us  of  his  Spirit.  We  have  seen  and  we  bear  witness 
that  the  Father  has  sent  the  Son  to  be  the  Savior  of  the  world. 
Whoever  confesses  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God,  God  abides  in 
him  and  he  in  God.  We  have  come  to  know  and  have  put  our 
trust  in  the  love  which  God  has  for  us. 

God  is  love,  and  he  who  remains  in  love  remains  in  God  and 
God  remains  in  him.  Thus  love  has  been  made  perfect  with 
us  so  that  we  may  have  confidence  on  the  day  of  judgment,  be¬ 
cause  as  God  is  we  also  are  in  this  world.  There  is  no  fear  in 
love,  but  perfect  love  casts  out  fear,  because  fear  has  pain. 
He  who  fears  has  not  been  made  perfect  in  love.  We  love  be¬ 
cause  he  first  loved  us.  If  any  one  says,  “I  love  God,”  and 
hates  his  brother,  he  is  a  liar.  For  he  who  does  not  love  his 
brother  whom  he  has  seen  cannot  love  God  whom  he  has  not 
seen.  This  command  we  have  from  him,  that  he  who  loves 
God  shall  love  his  brother  also. 

V 

Every  one  who  believes  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ  has  been  born 
of  God,  and  every  one  who  loves  the  father  who  gave  him  life 
loves  every  one  who  has  received  life  from  that  father.  By 
this  we  know  that  we  love  the  children  of  God,  when  we  love 


410 


THE  FIRST  LETTER  OF  JOHN 

God  and  do  his  commands.  For  this  is  the  love  of  God,  our 
keeping  his  commands.  And  his  commands  are  not  burden¬ 
some,  because  all  that  is  born  of  God  conquers  the  world.  And 
this  is  the  victory  that  conquers  the  world,  our  faith.  Who  is 
the  conqueror  of  the  world  but  he  who  believes  that  Jesus  is 
the  Son  of  God? 

This  is  he  who  came  through  water  and  blood,  Jesus  Christ. 
Not  with  the  water  only,  but  with  the  water  and  the  blood. 
And  the  Spirit  is  the  witness,  because  the  Spirit  is  the  truth. 
For  there  are  three  that  bear  witness,  the  Spirit  and  the  water 
and  the  blood,  and  the  three  are  in  accord.  If  we  accept  the 
testimony  of  men  the  testimony  of  God  is  greater;  for  this 
is  God’s  testimony,  that  he  has  testified  regarding  his  Son. 
He  who  believes  in  the  Son  of  God  has  the  testimony  within 
himself.  He  who  does  not  believe  God  has  made  him  a  liar; 
because  he  has  not  believed  the  testimony  which  God  has 
borne  regarding  his  Son.  This  is  the  testimony:  that  God  has 
given  to  us  life  eternal  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son.  He  who  has 
the  Son  has  life;  he  who  has  not  the  Son  of  God  has  not  life. 

I  am  writing  this  to  you  so  that  you  may  know  that  you 
have  life  eternal,  you  who  believe  in  the  name  of  the  Son  of 
God.  This  is  the  confidence  that  we  have  toward  him :  that  if 
we  ask  anything  according  to  his  will  he  hears  us.  And  if  we 
know  that  he  hears  us  when  we  ask  anything,  we  know  that 
we  obtain  the  things  that  we  have  asked  of  him. 

If  any  one  sees  his  brother  committing  a  sin  that  is  not 
deadly,  he  must  ask  and  God  will  give  him  life  for  those  who 
are  committing  sin  that  is  not  deadly.  There  is  sin  that  is 
deadly.  I  do  not  say  that  he  should  pray  in  behalf  of  that. 
All  unrighteousness  is  sin,  and  there  is  sin  that  is  not  deadly. 

We  know  that  every  one  who  has  been  born  of  God  lives 
without  sinning,  but  he  who  was  born  of  God  keeps  him,  and 
the  Evil  One  does  not  lay  hold  of  him.  We  know  that  we  are 
of  God  and  the  whole  world  lies  in  the  Evil  One.  We  know 
that  the  Son  of  God  has  come  and  has  given  us  understanding 
to  know  him  who  is  true,  and  we  are  in  him  who  is  true  and 
in  his  Son,  Jesus  Christ.  This  is  the  true  God  and  life  eternal. 

Little  children,  guard  yourselves  from  idols. 


THE  SECOND  LETTER  OF  JOHN 


The  Elder  to  the  chosen  Lady  and  her  children,  whom  I  love 
in  truth  (and  not  I  alone,  but  also  all  who  have  come  to  know 
the  truth)  for  the  sake  of  the  truth  which  remains  in  us  and 
will  be  with  us  forever: 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  will  be  with  us  from  God  the 
Father  and  from  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Father,  in  truth 
and  love. 

I  rejoiced  greatly  to  find  some  of  your  children  living  in 
truth,  as  we  received  command  from  the  Father.  And  now  I 
pray  you,  Lady,  not  as  if  writing  a  new  command  for  you,  but 
one  that  we  have  had  from  the  beginning,  let  us  love  one  an¬ 
other.  This  is  love:  to  live  by  his  commands.  This  is  the 
command,  as  you  heard  from  the  beginning  that  you  must 
live  by  it. 

For  many  deceivers  have  come  out  into  the  world  and  they 
do  not  confess  that  Jesus  Christ  has  come  in  the  flesh.  Such  a 
one  is  the  deceiver  and  the  Antichrist. 

Guard  yourselves  so  as  not  to  lose  what  we  have  worked  for, 
but  so  that  you  may  gain  a  full  reward.  Every  one  who  goes 
forward  and  does  not  remain  in  the  teaching  of  Christ  is  with¬ 
out  God.  He  who  remains  in  the  teaching,  he  has  the  Father 
and  the  Son.  If  any  one  comes  to  you  and  does  not  bring  this 
teaching,  do  not  take  him  into  your  house  and  do  not  bid  him 
welcome.  He  who  bids  him  welcome  becomes  a  sharer  in  his 
wicked  works. 

I  have  much  to  write  to  you,  but  I  will  not  do  it  with  paper 
and  ink.  I  hope  to  be  with  you  soon  and  to  speak  face  to  face 
so  that  our  joy  may  be  complete.  The  children  of  your  chosen 
sister  send  greetings  to  you. 


THE  THIRD  LETTER  OF  JOHN 


The  Elder  to  Gaius  the  beloved,  whom  I  love  in  truth : 

Beloved,  I  pray  that  in  everything  you  may  prosper  and  be 
in  health,  just  as  your  soul  now  prospers.  For  I  rejoiced  greatly 
when  brethren  came  and  testified  to  your  truth  —  that  you 
are  living  in  the  truth.  I  have  no  greater  joy  than  this:  to  hear 
that  my  children  are  living  in  the  truth. 

Beloved,  you  do  faithfully  whatever  work  you  do  for  the 
brethren,  even  when  they  are  strangers,  and  they  have  testified 
to  your  love  before  the  church.  You  will  do  well  to  help  them 
forward  on  their  journey  in  a  manner  worthy  of  God.  For  it 
was  for  the  Name  that  they  came  out,  taking  nothing  from  the 
Gentiles.  We  ought  to  help  such  men  so  as  to  be  fellow  workers 
with  the  truth. 

I  wrote  something  to  the  church;  but  Diotrephes,  who  de¬ 
sires  to  be  first  among  them,  does  not  receive  us.  Therefore, 
if  I  come  I  will  bring  to  mind  the  works  that  he  is  doing,  accus¬ 
ing  us  with  wicked  words,  and  not  satisfied  with  that,  neither 
does  he  receive  the  brethren,  and  he  hinders  those  who  wish  to 
do  so  and  expels  them  from  the  church. 

Beloved,  do  not  imitate  evil,  but  good.  He  who  does  good  is 
of  God.  He  who  does  evil  has  not  seen  God.  Testimony  has 
been  borne  to  Demetrius  by  all  and  by  the  truth  itself.  We 
too  bear  testimony,  and  you  know  that  our  testimony  is  true. 

I  had  much  to  write  to  you,  but  I  will  not  write  to  you  with 
ink  and  pen.  But  I  hope  to  see  you  shortly,  and  we  shall  speak 
face  to  face.  Peace  be  to  you.  The  friends  send  greetings  to 
you.  Greet  the  friends  by  name. 


THE  LETTER  OF  JUDE 


Jude,  a  servant  of  Jesus  Christ  and  a  brother  of  James,  to 
those  who  are  in  God  the  Father,  beloved,  kept  for  Jesus  Christ 
and  called: 

Mercy  and  peace  and  love  be  multiplied  to  you. 

Beloved,  although  I  have  been  making  every  effort  to  write 
to  you  regarding  our  common  salvation,  I  now  find  it  necessary 
to  write  and  urge  you  to  contend  vigorously  for  the  faith  that 
was  once  for  all  delivered  to  the  holy.  For  certain  persons  have 
crept  in,  who  of  old  were  written  of  as  predestined  to  this  doom, 
godless,  changing  the  grace  of  our  God  into  profligacy  and  dis¬ 
owning  our  only  Ruler  and  Lord,  Jesus  Christ. 

I  wish  to  remind  you,  although  you  know  all  things  once 
for  all,  that  the  Lord,  after  saving  a  people  from  the  land  of 
Egypt,  then  destroyed  those  who  had  no  faith;  and  angels  who 
did  not  keep  their  own  rank,  but  left  their  own  abode,  he  has 
kept  for  the  judgment  of  the  great  day  in  everlasting  chains 
under  blackness  of  darkness.  So  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and 
the  cities  around  them,  which  in  the  same  way  gave  themselves 
up  to  unchastity  and  the  pursuit  of  unnatural  vices,  serve  as  an 
example  while  they  undergo  the  punishment  of  eternal  fire. 

Just  so  these  dreamers  defile  the  flesh,  reject  government, 
and  speak  abusively  of  glorious  beings.  But  Michael,  the  arch¬ 
angel,  when  in  dispute  with  the  Devil  he  was  arguing  about 
the  body  of  Moses,  did  not  venture  to  bring  against  him  an 
abusive  judgment,  but  said,  “The  Lord  rebuke  you/’  But 
these  speak  profanely  of  whatever  they  do  not  know,  and  all 
that  physically  as  irrational  animals  they  do  understand,  in 
these  things  they  corrupt  themselves.  Alas  for  them !  for  they 
have  traveled  in  the  path  of  Cain,  and  for  hire  have  rushed 
headlong  into  the  error  of  Balaam,  and  have  perished  in  the 
rebellious  talk  of  Korah. 

These  are  the  hidden  reefs  in  your  love-feasts  while  they 
feast  freely  with  you  without  fear,  shepherds  who  care  only 


414 


THE  LETTER  OF  JUDE 


for  themselves,  waterless  clouds  driven  by  winds,  trees  in 
autumn  fruitless,  twice  dead,  uprooted,  wild  waves  of  the  sea 
foaming  out  their  own  shame,  wandering  stars  for  which  the 
blackness  of  darkness  is  reserved  forever. 

Enoch,  the  seventh  from  Adam,  prophesied  of  these  men 
when  he  said,  “See,  the  Lord  has  come  with  ten  thousand  of 
his  holy  ones  to  do  judgment  upon  all  and  to  convict  all  the 
irreverent  of  all  their  deeds  of  irreverence  which  they  have 
irreverently  done,  and  of  all  the  hard  things  which  they  have 
spoken  against  him,  irreverent  sinners  that  they  are.” 

These  men  are  complaining  grumblers,  living  according  to 
their  own  passions,  and  their  mouths  speak  great  swelling 
words.  They  show  admiration  for  persons  for  the  sake  of  their 
own  gain. 

But  you,  beloved,  remember  the  words  which  were  long  ago 
spoken  by  the  apostles  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  how  they  told 
you  that  in  the  latter  time  there  would  be  scoffers  living  accord¬ 
ing  to  their  own  ungodly  passions.  These  are  those  who  cause 
divisions,  sensual  and  unspiritual. 

But  you,  beloved,  building  yourselves  up  in  your  most  holy 
faith  and  praying  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  must  keep  yourselves  in 
the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
to  bring  you  into  life  eternal.  On  some  have  pity  when  they 
are  in  doubt;  pull  them  out  of  the  fire  and  save  them.  Others 
pity  with  fear,  hating  even  the  tunic  spotted  by  the  flesh. 

To  him  who  is  able  to  guard  you  from  falling  and  to  make 
you  stand  faultless  before  his  glory  in  great  joy,  to  the  only 
God  our  Savior,  be,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  glory, 
majesty,  might,  and  authority,  before  all  time  and  now  and  for 
all  the  ages!  Amen. 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


x 

A  Revelation  of  Jesus  Christ  which  God  gave  to  him,  to 
make  known  to  his  servants  things  which  must  soon  take 
place.  He  sent  and  made  it  known  through  his  angel  to  his 
servant  John,  who  bears  witness  to  the  message  of  God  and 
the  testimony  of  Jesus  Christ  —  everything  that  he  saw. 

Blessed  is  he  who  reads,  and  blessed  are  those  who  hear  the 
words  of  this  prophecy  and  keep  in  mind  what  is  written  in  it; 
for  the  time  is  near. 

John  to  the  seven  Churches  in  Asia:  Grace  be  to  you  and 
peace  from  him  who  is  and  who  was  and  who  is  to  come,  and 
from  the  seven  Spirits  that  are  before  his  throne,  and  from 
Jesus  Christ,  the  faithful  witness,  the  first-born  of  the  dead, 
and  the  ruler  of  the  kings  of  the  earth. 

To  him  who  loves  us  and  freed  us  from  our  sins  by  his  blood, 
and  made  us  a  kingdom,  priests  to  God  his  Father,  to  him  be 
glory  and  power  for  the  ages  of  the  ages!  Amen.  He  is  coming 
with  clouds  and  every  eye  will  see  him,  even  of  those  who 
pierced  him,  and  all  the  tribes  of  the  earth  will  beat  their 
breasts  because  of  him.  Yes,  Amen. 

“Iam  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,  ”  says  the  Lord  God,  “  who 
is  and  who  was  and  who  shall  be,  the  Almighty.” 

I,  John,  your  brother  and  fellow  sharer  in  the  distresses  and 
the  kingdom  and  the  endurance  in  Jesus,  came  to  the  island 
called  Patmos,  for  the  sake  of  the  message  of  God  and  the 
testimony  of  Jesus.  I  became  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord’s  day 
and  heard  behind  me  a  loud  voice,  as  of  a  trumpet,  saying, 
“What  you  see  write  in  a  book,  and  send  it  to  the  seven 
churches,  to  Ephesus  and  to  Smyrna  and  to  Pergamum  and  to 
Thyatira  and  to  Sardis  and  to  Philadelphia  and  to  Laodicea.” 
I  turned  to  see  the  voice  that  was  speaking  with  me,  and  upon 
turning  I  saw  seven  golden  lampstands  and  in  the  midst  of 


416 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


the  lampstands  one  like  a  son  of  man,  clothed  in  a  robe  that 
reached  his  feet,  and  girded  across  the  breast  with  a  golden 
girdle.  His  head  and  his  hair  were  white,  like  white  wool,  like 
snow,  and  his  eyes  were  like  a  flame  of  fire,  and  his  feet  were 
like  fine  brass  when  molten  in  a  furnace,  and  his  voice  was  like 
the  sound  of  many  waters.  He  had  in  his  right  hand  seven 
stars,  and  from  his  mouth  there  issued  a  sharp  two-edged 
sword.  His  face  was  like  the  sun  shining  in  full  strength.  When 
I  saw  him  I  fell  at  his  feet  as  if  dead.  But  he  laid  his  right  hand 
on  me  and  said: 

“  Do  not  fear.  I  am  the  first  and  the  last  and  the  living  one. 
I  became  dead,  but  now  I  am  living  for  the  ages  of  the  ages, 
and  I  have  the  keys  of  death  and  of  Hades.  Write  what  you 
have  seen,  and  what  is  and  what  is  to  be  hereafter  —  the 
mystery  of  the  seven  stars  that  you  saw  in  my  right  hand  and 
the  seven  golden  lampstands.  The  seven  stars  are  angels  of  the 
seven  churches,  and  the  seven  lampstands  are  seven  churches. 

II 

“To  the  Angel  of  the  Church  in  Ephesus  write: 

“These  things  says  he  who  holds  the  seven  stars  in  his  right 
hand,  he  who  walks  in  the  midst  of  the  seven  golden  lamp- 
stands  :  I  know  your  works  and  your  labor  and  your  endurance, 
and  that  you  cannot  bear  wicked  people,  and  you  have  tried 
those  who  say  that  they  are  apostles  though  they  are  not,  and 
you  have  found  them  liars.  You  have  endurance  and  you  have 
borne  for  the  sake  of  my  name  and  you  have  not  been  dis¬ 
couraged.  But  I  have  this  against  you,  that  you  have  lost  your 
first  love.  Remember  then  from  where  you  have  fallen,  and 
repent  and  do  your  former  works.  Otherwise  I  am  coming  to 
you  and  will  move  your  lampstand  from  its  place,  if  you  do  not 
repent.  But  you  have  this,  that  you  hate  the  works  of  the 
Nicolaitans,  which  I  also  hate.  Let  him  who  has  an  ear  hear 
what  the  Spirit  says  to  the  churches.  To  him  who  conquers  I 
will  grant  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life  which  is  in  the  Paradise  of 
God. 

“To  the  Angel  of  the  Church  in  Smyrna  write: 

“These  things  says  the  First  and  the  Last,  who  died  and 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


417 


returned  to  life :  I  know  your  distress  and  poverty,  but  you  are 
rich,  and  I  know  the  profane  words  from  those  who  say  that 
they  are  Jews  though  they  are  not,  but  are  a  synagogue  of 
Satan.  Do  not  fear  what  you  are  soon  to  suffer.  The  Devil  will 
soon  cast  some  of  you  into  prison  so  that  you  may  be  tested, 
and  you  will  have  distress  ten  days.  Be  faithful  to  death  and 
I  will  give  you  the  crown  of  life.  Let  him  who  has  an  ear  hear 
what  the  Spirit  says  to  the  churches.  He  who  conquers  will 
not  be  hurt  by  the  second  death. 

“To  the  Angel  of  the  Church  in  Pergamum  write: 

“These  things  says  he  who  has  the  sharp  two-edged  sword: 
I  know  where  you  live,  where  the  throne  of  Satan  is.  Yet  you 
are  holding  fast  my  name  and  did  not  disown  faith  in  me 
even  in  the  days  when  Antipas,  my  faithful  witness,  was  killed 
beside  you  where  Satan  lives.  But  I  have  a  few  things  against 
you,  because  you  have  some  who  hold  the  teaching  of  Balaam 
who  taught  Balak  to  cast  a  stumbling  block  before  the  sons 
of  Israel:  to  eat  things  sacrificed  to  idols  and  to  commit  un¬ 
chastity.  And  even  you  have  some  who  likewise  hold  the 
teaching  of  the  Nicolaitans.  Repent,  therefore.  Otherwise  I 
am  coming  to  you  shortly,  and  I  will  make  war  upon  them  with 
the  sword  of  mv  mouth.  Let  him  who  has  an  ear  hear  what  the 

%s 

Spirit  says  to  the  churches.  To  him  who  conquers  I  will  give 
some  of  the  hidden  manna,  and  I  will  give  him  a  white  stone, 
and  on  the  stone  a  new  name  written,  which  no  one  knows  but 
he  who  receives  it. 

“To  the  Angel  of  the  Church  in  Thyatira  write: 

“These  things  says  the  Son  of  God,  he  who  has  eyes  like  a 
flame  of  fire  and  feet  like  fine  brass:  I  know  your  works  and 
your  love  and  your  faith  and  your  service  and  your  endurance, 
and  that  your  last  works  are  more  than  your  first.  But  I  have 
against  you  that  you  tolerate  the  woman  Jezebel,  who  calls 
herself  a  prophetess,  and  teaches  and  leads  astray  my  servants 
to  commit  unchastity  and  to  eat  ’  things  sacrificed  to  idols.  I 
gave  her  time  to  repent,  but  she  will  not  repent  of  her  un¬ 
chastity.  See,  I  will  cast  her  into  a  bed  and  those  who  commit 
adultery  with  her  into  great  distress,  unless  they  repent  of  their 
deeds,  and  her  children  I  will  surely  kill.  All  the  churches 


418 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


shall  know  that  I  am  he  who  searches  hearts  and  will  give  to 
each  of  you  according  to  your  deeds.  But  I  say  to  the  rest  of 
you  in  Thyatira,  as  many  as  do  not  hold  this  teaching,  who 
have  not  known  the  depths  of  Satan,  as  they  say,  I  do  not  lay 
on  you  any  other  burden.  But  hold  fast  what  you  have  until 
I  come.  He  who  conquers  and  keeps  my  commands  to  the  end 
—  I  will  give  him  authority  over  the  nations,  and  he  will 
shepherd  them  with  a  rod  of  iron,  as  earthenware  is  broken  to 
pieces,  just  as  I  also  have  received  from  my  Father.  And  I 
will  give  him  the  morning  star.  Let  him  who  has  an  ear  hear 
what  the  Spirit  says  to  the  churches. 

Ill 

“To  the  Angel  of  the  Church  in  Sardis  write: 

“These  things  says  he  who  has  the  seven  spirits  of  God  and 
the  seven  stars: 

“  I  know  your  deeds,  that  you  have  the  name  of  being  alive, 
but  are  dead.  Become  watchful  and  strengthen  the  things 
that  remain,  which  are  about  to  die.  For  I  have  not  found  any 
works  of  yours  complete  before  my  God.  Remember,  then, 
how  you  have  received  and  heard,  and  give  attention  and 
repent.  Unless  you  watch,  I  will  come  like  a  thief  and  you 
will  not  know  at  what  hour  I  will  come  upon  you.  But  you 
have  a  few  names  in  Sardis  which  have  not  stained  their  gar¬ 
ments,  and  they  shall  walk  with  me  in  white,  for  they  are 
worthy.  He  who  conquers  shall  be  thus  clothed  in  white 
garments,  and  I  will  not  erase  his  name  from  the  book  of  life, 
but  will  confess  his  name  before  my  Father  and  before  his 
angels.  Let  him  who  has  an  ear  hear  what  the  Spirit  says  to 
the  churches. 

“To  the  Angel  of  the  Church  in  Philadelphia  write: 

“These  things  says  the  Holy,  the  True,  he  who  has  the  key 
of  David,  who  opens  and  no  one  shuts  and  who  shuts  and  no 
one  opens: 

“I  know  your  deeds.  See,  I  have  set  before  you  an  opened 
door  which  no  one  can  shut,  because  you  have  a  little  power 
and  you  have  kept  my  word  and  have  not  disowned  my  name. 
See,  I  will  make  those  from  the  synagogue  of  Satan,  men  who 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


419 


call  themselves  Jews  when  they  are  not  but  are  lying  —  I  will 
make  them  come  and  bow  down  before  your  feet  and  they  shall 
know  that  I  have  loved  you.  Because  you  have  kept  my  com¬ 
mand  of  patient  endurance,  I  also  will  keep  you  from  the  hour 
of  trial  which  is  about  to  come  on  all  the  world,  to  try  the 
inhabitants  of  the  earth.  I  am  coming  soon.  Hold  fast  what 
you  have,  so  that  no  one  may  take  your  crown.  He  who  con¬ 
quers  —  I  will  make  him  a  pillar  in  the  Temple  of  my  God  and 
he  will  never  go  out,  and  I  will  write  on  him  the  name  of  my 
God  and  the  name  of  the  city  of  my  God,  the  new  Jerusalem, 
which  is  coming  down  from  heaven  from  my  God,  and  I  will 
write  on  him  my  own  new  name.  Let  him  who  has  an  ear  hear 
what  the  Spirit  says  to  the  churches. 

“To  the  Angel  of  the  Church  in  Laodicea  write: 

“These  things  says  the  Amen,  the  faithful  and  true  Wit¬ 
ness,  the  Beginning  of  the  creation  of  God: 

“I  know  your  deeds  —  that  you  are  neither  cold  nor  hot. 
Would  that  you  were  cold  or  hot!  So  because  you  are  luke¬ 
warm,  and  neither  hot  nor  cold,  I  shall  spew  you  out  of  my 
mouth.  Because  you  say,  ‘  I  am  rich  and  have  grown  wealthy 
and  lack  nothing,  ’  and  do  not  know  that  you  are  wretched  and 
pitiable  and  poor  and  blind  and  naked,  I  counsel  you  to  buy 
from  me  gold  refined  in  the  fire,  so  that  you  may  be  rich,  and 
white  garments  to  put  on,  so  that  the  shame  of  your  nakedness 
may  not  be  seen,  and  salve  to  anoint  your  eyes,  so  that  you  may 
see.  All  that  I  love  I  rebuke  and  discipline.  Be  earnest,  then, 
and  repent.  See,  I  am  standing  at  the  door  and  knocking.  If 
any  one  listens  to  my  voice  and  opens  his  door,  I  will  come  in 
with  him  and  will  feast  with  him  and  he  with  me.  He  who 
conquers  —  to  him  I  will  grant  to  sit  with  me  on  my  throne, 
as  I  also  conquered  and  sat  down  with  my  Father  on  his 
throne.  Let  him  who  has  an  ear  hear  what  the  Spirit  says  to 
the  churches.” 


IV 

After  this  I  looked  and  there  was  an  open  door  in  heaven  and 
the  voice  that  I  had  heard  at  first,  as  if  of  a  trumpet  speaking 


420 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


with  me,  said,  “Come  up  here  and  I  will  show  you  things  that 
must  come  to  pass  hereafter.”  Immediately  I  became  in  the 
Spirit.  A  throne  was  standing  in  heaven  and  on  the  throne 
One  was  sitting.  He  who  was  sitting  there  was  in  appearance 
like  a  jasper  stone  and  a  sardius.  A  rainbow,  in  appearance  like 
an  emerald,  encircled  the  throne.  Around  the  throne  I  saw 
twenty-four  thrones  and  on  these  thrones  twenty-four  elders 
seated,  clothed  in  white  garments  and  with  golden  crowns 
on  their  heads.  From  the  throne  issued  lightnings  and  voices 
and  thunders.  There  were  seven  lamps  of  fire  burning  before 
the  throne.  These  are  the  seven  Spirits  of  God.  Before  the 
throne  there  was  as  it  were  a  glassy  sea,  like  crystal.  Near  the 
throne  and  around  the  throne  there  were  four  living  creatures 
full  of  eyes  before  and  behind.  The  first  living  creature  was 
like  a  lion,  the  second  living  creature  was  like  a  calf,  the  third 
living  creature  had  a  face  like  a  man’s,  and  the  fourth  living 
creature  was  like  a  flying  eagle.  The  four  living  creatures  have 
each  six  wings,  and  around  and  within  they  are  full  of  eyes. 
They  cease  not  saying  day  and  night,  “Holy,  holy,  holy  is  the 
Lord  God  Almighty,  who  was  and  is  and  is  to  come.”  And 
when  the  living  creatures  give  glory  and  honor  and  thanks  to 
him  who  sits  on  the  throne,  who  lives  for  the  ages  of  the  ages, 
the  twenty-four  elders  fall  down  before  him  who  sits  on  the 
throne  and  worship  him  who  lives  for  the  ages  of  the  ages,  and 
they  cast  their  crowns  before  the  throne  saying,  “Worthy  art 
thou,  our  Lord  and  God,  to  receive  glory  and  honor  and  power, 
for  thou  didst  create  all  things  and  because  of  thy  will  they 
existed  and  were  created.” 


y 

Then  I  saw  in  the  right  hand  of  him  who  was  sitting  on  the 
throne  a  book  with  writing  inside  and  outside  and  closely 
sealed  with  seven  seals.  I  saw  a  strong  angel  proclaiming  with 
a  loud  voice,  “Who  is  worthy  to  open  the  book  and  loose  its 
seals?”  But  no  one  in  heaven  or  on  the  earth  or  under  the 
earth  was  able  to  open  the  book  or  to  look  into  it.  I  wept  much 
because  no  one  was  found  worthy  to  open  the  book  or  to  look 
into  it.  Then  one  of  the  elders  said  to  me,  “  Do  not  weep.  The 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN  421 

Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  the  Root  of  David,  has  conquered 
and  can  open  the  book  and  its  seven  seals.” 

Then  I  saw  midway  between  the  throne  and  the  four  living 
creatures  and  the  elders  a  Lamb  standing.  He  seemed  as  if  he 
had  been  slain.  He  had  seven  horns  and  seven  eyes  which  are 
the  seven  Spirits  of  God  sent  forth  into  all  the  earth.  He  came 
and  took  the  book  from  the  right  hand  of  him  who  was  sitting 
on  the  throne.  When  he  took  the  book  the  four  living  creatures 
and  the  twenty-four  elders  fell  down  before  the  Lamb,  each 
having  a  harp  and  a  golden  bowl  full  of  incense,  which  is  the 
prayers  of  the  holy. 

Then  they  sang  a  new  song,  saying,  “  Worthy  art  thou  to 
take  the  book  and  to  open  its  seals,  for  thou  wast  slain  and 
didst  ransom  for  God  by  thy  blood  men  from  every  tribe  and 
tongue  and  people  and  nation,  and  hast  made  them  a  king¬ 
dom  of  priests  to  our  God,  and  they  shall  be  kings  on  the 
earth.” 

Then  I  looked  and  I  heard  the  voices  of  many  angels  encir¬ 
cling  the  throne  and  the  voices  of  the  four  living  creatures  and 
of  the  elders  —  the  number  of  them  was  myriads  of  myriads 
and  thousands  of  thousands  —  crying  aloud,  “  Worthy  is  the 
Lamb  who  was  slain  to  receive  power  and  riches  and  wisdom 
and  strength  and  honor  and  glory  and  blessing.  ”  And  every 
creature  that  is  in  heaven  and  on  the  earth  and  under  the  earth 
and  on  the  sea,  and  ail  creatures  in  them,  I  heard  saying,  “To 
him  who  sits  on  the  throne  and  to  the  Lamb  be  blessing  and 
honor  and  glory  and  power  for  the  ages  of  the  ages.”  The  four 
living  creatures  said,  “Amen,”  and  the  elders  fell  down  and 
worshiped. 


VI 

Then  I  saw  when  the  Lamb  opened  one  of  the  seven  seals  and 
I  heard  one  of  the  living  creatures  say,  as  if  with  a  voice  of 
thunder,  “  Come.  ”  I  looked  and  there  came  a  white  horse,  and 
he  who  was  sitting  on  it  had  a  bow,  and  a  crown  was  given  to 
him  and  he  went  forth  conquering  and  to  conquer. 

When  he  opened  the  second  seal  I  heard  the  second  living 
creature  say,  “Come.”  Then  another  horse  came  out.  It  was 


422 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


fiery  red,  and  to  him  who  was  sitting  on  it  was  granted  to  take 
peace  from  the  earth  so  that  men  should  kill  one  another,  and 
a  great  sword  was  given  to  him. 

When  he  opened  the  third  seal  I  heard  the  third  living 
creature  say,  “  Come.  ”  I  looked  and  there  came  a  black  horse, 
and  he  who  was  sitting  on  it  had  a  pair  of  scales  in  his  hand. 
I  heard  what  seemed  a  voice  in  the  midst  of  the  four  living 
creatures  saying,  “A  measure  of  wheat  for  a  shilling  and  three 
measures  of  barley  for  a  shilling.  But  do  no  harm  to  the  oil  or 
the  wine.’ 7 

When  he  opened  the  fourth  seal  I  heard  the  voice  of  the 
fourth  living  creature  say,  “Come.”  I  looked  and  there  came 
a  pale  yellow  horse.  The  name  of  him  who  was  sitting  on  it  was 
Death,  and  Hades  was  following  along  with  him.  Authority 
was  granted  to  them  over  one  fourth  of  the  earth,  to  kill  with 
the  sword  and  with  famine  and  with  pestilence  and  with  the 
wild  beasts  of  the  earth. 

When  he  opened  the  fifth  seal,  I  saw  under  the  altar  the 
souls  of  those  who  had  been  slain  for  the  sake  of  God’s  message 
and  because  of  the  testimony  which  they  had  borne.  They 
cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying,  “How  long,  0  Ruler  holy  and 
true,  wilt  thou  delay  to  judge  and  take  vengeance  for  our  blood 
upon  those  who  dwell  on  the  earth?  ”  To  each  of  them  a  white 
robe  was  given,  and  it  was  said  to  them  that  they  must  wait 
quietly  yet  a  little  while  until  the  number  of  their  fellow 
servants  and  their  brethren  was  complete,  who  were  yet  to  be 
killed  as  they  had  been. 

I  saw  when  he  opened  the  sixth  seal  and  there  came  a  great 
earthquake  and  the  sun  became  black,  like  sackcloth  of  hair, 
and  the  moon  became  all  like  blood  and  the  stars  of  heaven 
fell  to  the  ground,  as  a  fig  tree  drops  its  unripe  figs  when  shaken 
by  a  strong  wind,  and  the  sky  passed  away  like  a  scroll  when 
it  is  rolled  up,  and  every  mountain  and  island  was  moved  out 
of  its  place.  Then  the  kings  of  the  earth  and  the  great  men  and 
the  generals  and  the  rich  and  the  strong  and  every  slave  and 
freeman  hid  themselves  in  the  caves  and  the  rocks  of  the 
mountains  and  said  to  the  mountains  and  the  rocks,  “Fall  on 
us  and  hide  us  from  the  face  of  him  who  sits  on  the  throne  and 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


423 


from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb,  for  the  day,  the  great  day,  of  their 
wrath  has  come  and  who  can  stand?” 

YXI 

After  this  I  saw  four  angels  standing  at  the  four  corners  of 
the  earth,  holding  the  four  winds  of  the  earth,  so  that  no  wind 
might  blow  on  the  land  or  on  the  sea  or  on  any  tree.  Then  I 
saw  another  angel  ascending  from  the  east,  with  the  seal  of  the 
living  God.  He  cried  with  a  loud  voice  to  the  four  angels  to 
whom  it  had  been  granted  to  harm  the  land  and  the  sea  and 
said,  “Do  not  harm  the  land  or  the  sea  or  any  tree  until  we 
seal  the  servants  of  our  God  on  their  foreheads.  ”  I  heard  the 
number  of  those  who  were  sealed,  a  hundred  and  forty-four 
thousand,  sealed  from  every  tribe  of  the  sons  of  Israel : 

Of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  twelve  thousand  sealed, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Reuben,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Gad,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Asher,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Naphtali,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Manasseh,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Simeon,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Levi,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Issachar,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Zebulon,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Joseph,  twelve  thousand, 

Of  the  tribe  of  Benjamin,  twelve  thousand. 

After  this  I  looked  and  there  was  a  great  multitude  which  no 
one  could  count,  out  of  all  nations  and  tribes  and  peoples  and 
tongues,  standing  before  the  throne  and  before  the  Lamb 
clothed  in  white  robes  and  with  palms  in  their  hands,  and  they 
shouted  with  a  loud  voice  saying,  “Salvation  to  our  God  who 
sits  upon  the  throne  and  to  the  Lamb!”  And  all  the  angels 
stood  around  the  throne  and  the  elders  and  the  four  living 
creatures,  and  they  fell  on  their  faces  before  the  throne  and 
worshiped  God  saying,  “Amen.  Blessing  and  glory  and  wis¬ 
dom  and  thanksgiving  and  honor  and  power  and  strength  be  to 
our  God  for  the  ages  of  the  ages!  Amen.  ” 


424 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


Then  one  of  the  elders  spoke  to  me  and  said,  “These  who 
wear  the  white  robes  —  who  are  they  and  where  have  they 
come  from?”  I  said  to  him,  “My  Lord,  you  know.”  He  said 
to  me,  “These  have  come  out  of  the  great  distress  and  have 
washed  their  robes  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb.  For  this  reason  they  are  before  the  throne  of  God  and 
worship  him  day  and  night  in  his  Temple,  and  he  who  sits  on 
the  throne  will  spread  his  tent  over  them.  They  will  not 
hunger  any  more  nor  thirst  any  more,  nor  will  the  sun  strike 
on  them  nor  any  burning  heat,  for  the  Lamb  who  is  in  the 
center  before  the  throne  will  be  their  shepherd  and  will  lead 
them  to  springs  of  living  water,  and  God  will  wipe  away  every 
tear  from  their  eyes.  ” 

VIII 

When  he  opened  the  seventh  seal  there  came  a  silence  in 
heaven  for  about  half  an  hour.  Then  I  saw  the  seven  angels 
who  stand  before  God,  and  seven  trumpets  were  given  to  them. 
Another  angel  came  and  stood  at  the  altar  with  a  golden  censer, 
and  much  incense  was  given  to  him  for  him  to  put  with  the 
prayers  of  all  the  holy  on  the  golden  altar  before  the  throne. 
The  smoke  of  the  incense  from  the  hand  of  the  angel  went  up 
with  the  prayers  of  the  holy  before  God.  Then  the  angel  took 
the  censer  and  filled  it  from  the  fire  of  the  altar  and  cast  it  to 
the  earth,  and  there  were  thunders  and  voices  and  lightnings 
and  an  earthquake.  Then  the  seven  angels  who  had  the  seven 
trumpets  prepared  themselves  to  sound  them. 

The  first  sounded  his  trumpet  and  there  came  hail  and  fire 
mixed  with  blood,  and  it  was  hurled  upon  the  earth.  A  third 
of  the  earth  was  burned  up  and  a  third  of  the  trees  were  burned 
up  and  all  green  grass  was  burned  up. 

The  second  angel  sounded  his  trumpet  and,  as  it  were,  a 
great  mountain  burning  with  fire  was  hurled  into  the  sea.  A 
third  of  the  sea  became  blood  and  a  third  of  the  creatures  in 
the  sea,  those  that  had  life,  died,  and  a  third  of  the  ships  were 
destroyed. 

The  third  angel  sounded  his  trumpet  and  there  fell  from 
heaven  a  great  star  burning  like  a  torch.  It  fell  upon  a  third  of 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


425 


the  rivers  and  upon  the  springs  of  water.  The  name  of  the  star 
is  called  W  ormwood.  Then  a  third  of  the  waters  became  worm¬ 
wood,  and  many  people  died  from  the  waters  because  they  had 
been  made  bitter. 

The  fourth  angel  sounded  his  trumpet  and  a  blight  fell  upon 
a  third  part  of  the  sun  and  a  third  part  of  the  moon  and  a  third 
part  of  the  stars,  so  that  a  third  part  of  them  was  darkened, 
and  the  day  had  no  light  for  a  third  part  of  it,  and  the  night 
was  darkened  in  the  same  way. 

Then  I  looked  and  I  heard  an  eagle  that  was  flying  in  mid¬ 
heaven  say  with  a  loud  voice,  “Woe,  woe,  woe  to  those  who  are 
living  on  the  earth,  because  of  the  rest  of  the  trumpet-blasts 
which  the  three  angels  are  soon  to  sound !” 

IX 

The  fifth  angel  sounded  his  trumpet  and  I  saw  a  star  that  had 
fallen  from  heaven  to  the  earth.  There  was  given  to  him  the 
key  of  the  pit  of  the  abyss.  And  he  opened  the  pit  of  the  abyss 
and  smoke  came  up  from  the  pit  like  the  smoke  of  a  great 
furnace,  and  the  sun  was  darkened  and  the  air  also  by  the 
smoke  of  the  pit.  Out  of  the  smoke  came  locusts  upon  the 
earth,  and  power  was  given  to  them  such  as  earthly  scorpions 
have.  It  was  said  to  them  that  they  should  not  harm  the  grass 
of  the  earth  nor  anything  green  nor  any  tree,  but  only  the 
people  that  did  not  have  the  seal  of  God  on  their  foreheads. 
It  was  not  granted  to  them  to  kill  such,  but  to  torment  them 
five  months.  Their  torture  was  like  the  torture  of  a  scorpion 
when  it  strikes  a  man.  In  those  days  men  will  seek  for  death 
and  will  not  find  it  and  will  long  to  die,  but  death  will  fly  from 
them. 

The  appearance  of  the  locusts  was  like  that  of  horses 
equipped  for  battle.  On  their  heads  were,  as  it  were,  crowns 
like  gold,  and  their  faces  were  like  human  faces.  They  had  hair 
like  the  hair  of  women.  Their  teeth  were  like  those  of  lions. 
They  had  breastplates  like  breastplates  of  iron.  The  noise  of 
their  wings  was  like  the  noise  of  many-horsed  chariots  rushing 
into  battle.  They  have  tails  as  scorpions  have,  and  stings,  and 
with  their  tails  they  have  power  to  harm  men  five  months. 


426 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


They  have  over  them  a  king,  the  angel  of  the  abyss,  whose 
name  (Destroyer)  is  in  Hebrew  Abaddon,  but  in  Greek 
Apollyon. 

One  woe  has  passed.  Two  woes  are  still  to  come. 

The  sixth  angel  sounded  his  trumpet  and  I  heard  a  voice 
from  the  horns  of  the  golden  altar  before  God  saying  to  the 
sixth  angel  with  the  trumpet,  “  Loose  the  four  angels  that  are 
chained  at  the  great  river  Euphrates.”  So  the  four  angels  were 
loosed,  they  who  were  prepared  for  the  hour  and  day  and 
month  and  year  to  kill  a  third  of  men.  The  number  of  the 
troops  of  cavalry  was  twice  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand. 
I  heard  their  number. 

This  is  how  the  horses  and  those  who  sat  on  them  appeared 
to  me  in  the  vision:  The  riders  had  breastplates,  fiery  red, 
dark  blue,  and  sulphur  yellow.  The  heads  of  the  horses  were 
like  the  heads  of  lions,  and  from  their  mouths  came  fire  and 
smoke  and  sulphur.  By  these  three  plagues  a  third  of  men 
were  killed  —  by  the  fire  and  the  smoke  and  the  sulphur  that 
came  out  of  their  mouths.  For  the  power  of  the  horses  is  in 
their  mouths  and  in  their  tails.  For  their  tails  are  like  serpents 
with  heads,  and  with  these  they  do  injury. 

But  the  rest  of  men,  who  were  not  killed  by  these  plagues, 
neither  repented  of  the  deeds  of  their  hands  nor  ceased  wor¬ 
shiping  the  demons  and  their  idols  of  gold  and  silver  and 
brass  and  stone  and  wood,  which  can  neither  see  nor  hear  nor 
walk,  nor  did  they  repent  of  their  murders  nor  of  their  magic 
nor  of  their  unchastities  nor  of  their  thefts. 

X 

Then  I  saw  another  strong  angel  descending  from  heaven.  He 
was  clothed  in  a  cloud  and  the  rainbow  was  over  his  head.  His 
face  was  like  the  sun  and  his  legs  were  like  pillars  of  fire.  He 
had  in  his  hand  a  little  book  open.  He  set  his  right  foot  on  the 
sea  and  his  left  on  the  land  and  shouted  with  a  loud  voice  like 
the  roar  of  a  lion.  When  he  had  shouted  the  seven  thunders 
spoke,  each  its  own  message.  When  the  seven  thunders  had 
spoken  I  was  about  to  write.  But  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven 
saying,  “Seal  up  what  the  seven  thunders  have  spoken  and  do 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


427 


not  write  it.”  Then  the  angel  whom  I  had  seen  standing  on  the 
sea  and  on  the  land  lifted  his  right  hand  to  heaven  and  swore 
by  him  who  lives  for  the  ages  of  the  ages,  who  formed  heaven 
and  all  things  in  it  and  the  earth  and  all  things  upon  it  and  the 
sea  and  all  things  in  it,  “  There  shall  be  no  more  delay,  but  in 
the  days  of  the  blast  of  the  seventh  angel,  when  he  soon  shall 
sound  his  trumpet,  then  the  mystery  of  God  has  been  finished, 
according  to  the  good  news  that  he  gave  to  his  servants  the 
prophets.”  Then  the  voice  which  I  had  heard  from  heaven 
spoke  again  with  me  and  said,  “Go,  take  the  little  book  which 
is  open  in  the  hand  of  the  angel  who  is  standing  on  the  sea  and 
on  the  land.”  So  I  went  to  the  angel  and  told  him  to  give  me 
the  little  book.  He  said  to  me,  “Take  it  and  eat  it.  It  will 
make  your  stomach  bitter,  though  in  your  mouth  it  will  be 
sweet  like  honey.”  I  took  the  little  book  from  the  hand  of  the 
angel  and  ate  it,  and  in  my  mouth  it  was  sweet  like  honey,  but 
after  I  had  eaten  it  my  stomach  was  made  bitter.  They  said  to 
me,  “You  must  prophesy  again  about  many  peoples,  nations, 
tongues,  and  kings.” 


XI 

Then  a  reed  like  a  measuring  stick  was  given  to  me  with  the 
words,  “Rise  and  measure  the  Temple  of  God  and  the  altar 
and  those  who  are  worshiping  at  it.  But  the  court  outside  the 
Temple  omit  and  do  not  measure  it,  for  it  has  been  given  over 
to  the  Gentiles  and  they  will  trample  down  the  holy  city  forty- 
two  months.  I  will  grant  to  my  two  witnesses  to  prophesy  a 
thousand,  two  hundred  and  sixty  days,  clothed  in  sackcloth. 
They  are  the  two  olive  trees  and  the  two  lampstands  which 
stand  before  the  Lord  of  the  earth.  If  any  one  wishes  to  harm 
them  fire  comes  from  their  mouths  and  consumes  their  enemies. 
If  any  one  shall  wish  to  harm  them,  in  this  way  he  must  be  killed. 
They  have  power  to  shut  up  heaven  so  that  no  rain  shall  fall 
during  the  days  that  they  are  prophesying,  and  they  have 
power  over  the  waters  to  turn  them  into  blood  and  power  to 
smite  the  earth  with  every  kind  of  plague  as  often  as  they 
please.  When  they  have  completed  their  testimony,  the  Beast 
that  is  coming  up  out  of  the  abyss  will  make  war  with  them  and 


428 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


conquer  them  and  kill  them.  Their  corpses  will  lie  in  the  street 
of  the  great  city,  which  spiritually  is  called  Sodom  and  Egypt, 
where  also  their  Lord  was  crucified.  Men  of  all  peoples  and 
tribes  and  tongues  and  nations  will  look  at  their  corpses  three 
days  and  a  half  and  will  not  permit  their  corpses  to  be  placed 
in  a  tomb.  Those  who  live  on  the  earth  will  rejoice  over  them 
and  make  merry  and  send  gifts  to  one  another,  because  the 
two  prophets  tormented  those  who  live  on  the  earth.”  After 
the  three  days  and  a  half  the  breath  of  life  from  God  entered 
into  them  and  they  stood  on  their  feet.  Then  great  fear  fell  on 
those  who  were  looking  at  them.  They  heard  a  loud  voice  from 
heaven  saying  to  them,  “Come  up  here,”  and  they  went  up 
into  heaven  in  the  cloud  while  their  enemies  were  looking  at 
them.  At  that  hour  occurred  a  great  earthquake,  and  a  tenth 
of  the  city  fell  and  seven  thousand  men  were  killed  by  the 
earthquake.  The  rest  were  terrified  and  gave  glory  to  the  God 
of  heaven.  ( 

The  second  Woe  has  passed:  the  third  Woe  will  come  soon. 

The  seventh  angel  sounded  his  trumpet  and  there  came  loud 
voices  in  heaven  saying,  “The  kingship  of  the  world  has 
become  our  Lord’s  and  his  Christ’s  and  he  will  be  king  for  the 
ages  of  the  ages.”  Then  the  twenty-four  elders  who  sit  on  their 
thrones  before  God  fell  on  their  faces  and  worshiped  God, 
saying,  “We  thank  thee,  Lord  God  Almighty,  who  art  and  wast, 
that  thou  hast  taken  thy  great  power  and  hast  become  king. 
The  Gentiles  raged,  but  thy  wrath  came  and  the  time  to  judge 
the  dead  and  to  give  the  reward  to  thy  servants  the  prophets 
and  to  the  holy  who  reverence  thy  name,  the  small  and  the 
great,  and  to  destroy  those  who  are  destroying  the  earth.” 

Then  the  Temple  of  God  in  heaven  was  opened  and  the  ark 
of  his  covenant  in  his  temple  was  seen  in  his  temple,  and  there 
came  lightnings  and  voices  and  thunders  and  an  earthquake 
and  a  great  hailstorm. 

XII 

A  great  sign  appeared  in  heaven:  a  woman  clothed  with  the 
sun.  The  moon  was  under  her  feet  and  on  her  head  was  a 
crown  of  twelve  stars.  She  was  with  child  and  cried  out  in  the 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


429 


pangs  and  anguish  of  child-birth.  There  appeared  also  another 
sign  in  heaven,  a  great  fiery-red  Dragon  with  seven  heads  and 
ten  horns.  On  his  heads  were  seven  diadems  and  his  tail 
dragged  a  third  of  the  stars  of  heaven  and  hurled  them  to  the 
ground.  The  Dragon  stood  before  the  woman  who  was  about  to 
give  birth  to  a  child,  so  that  he  might  devour  the  child  as  soon  as 
it  was  born.  She  gave  birth  to  a  son  who  is  to  shepherd  all  the 
nations  with  a  rod  of  iron.  Then  the  child  was  caught  up  to 
God  and  to  his  throne.  The  woman  fled  into  the  wilderness 
where  she  has  from  God  a  prepared  place,  that  they  may 
nourish  her  there  a  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty  days. 

War  arose  in  heaven.  Michael  and  his  angels  fought  with 
the  Dragon.  The  Dragon  and  his  angels  fought,  but  they 
failed,  and  no  place  was  found  for  them  any  longer  in  heaven. 
Then  was  hurled  down  the  great  Dragon,  the  ancient  serpent 
who  is  called  the  Devil  and  Satan,  who  misleads  the  whole 
world  —  he  was  hurled  to  the  earth  and  his  angels  were  hurled 
with  him. 

I  heard  a  loud  voice  in  heaven  say,  “Now  has  come  the 
salvation  and  power  and  kingship  of  our  God  and  the  authority 
of  his  Christ,  because  the  accuser  of  our  brethren  has  been 
hurled  down,  he  who  accuses  them  before  our  God  day  and 
night.  But  they  have  conquered  him  because  of  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb  and  because  of  the  word  of  testimony  to  him,  and 
they  loved  not  their  lives  even  to  death.  Therefore,  rejoice,  O 
heavens,  and  you  who  tent  in  them !  Alas  for  the  land  and  the 
sea!  For  the  Devil  has  gone  down  to  you  in  great  wrath,  know¬ 
ing  that  he  has  but  a  little  time.” 

When  the  Dragon  saw  that  he  had  been  hurled  to  the  earth 
he  pursued  the  woman  who  had  given  birth  to  the  man-child. 
Then  there  were  given  to  the  woman  two  wings  of  a  great 
eagle  to  fly  into  the  wilderness  to  her  place,  where  she  shall  be 
fed  for  a  time  and  times  and  half  a  time,  hidden  from  the  view 
of  the  Serpent.  The  Serpent  poured  from  his  mouth  after  the 
woman  water  like  a  river,  to  sweep  her  away  with  a  flood.  But 
the  earth  helped  the  woman  and  the  earth  opened  its  mouth 
and  drank  up  the  river  that  the  Dragon  had  poured  out  of  his 
mouth.  Then  the  Dragon  was  enraged  against  the  woman  and 


430 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


went  away  to  make  war  with  the  rest  of  her  offspring  who  keep 
the  commands  of  God  and  hold  the  testimony  concerning 
Jesus. 

XIII 

Then  I  stood  on  the  sand  of  the  sea  and  I  saw  rising  out  of  the 
sea  a  Beast  with  ten  horns  and  seven  heads.  On  his  horns  were 
ten  diadems  and  upon  his  heads  were  profane  names.  The 
Beast  that  I  saw  was  like  a  leopard,  but  his  feet  were  like  a 
bear’s  feet  and  his  mouth  like  the  mouth  of  a  lion.  The  Dragon 
gave  to  him  his  own  power  and  his  throne  and  great  authority. 
I  saw  one  of  his  heads,  as  it  were,  mortally  wounded,  but  the 
mortal  wound  was  healed.  The  whole  world  followed  the  Beast 
in  amazement,  and  they  worshiped  the  Dragon  because  he  had 
given  such  power  to  the  Beast,  and  they  worshiped  the  Beast, 
saying,  “Who  is  like  the  Beast,  and  who  can  battle  with  him?” 
There  was  given  to  him  a  mouth  speaking  boasts  and  profani¬ 
ties,  and  there  was  given  to  him  power  to  act  for  forty-two 
months.  He  opened  his  mouth  to  insult  God,  to  speak  pro¬ 
fanely  of  his  name  and  of  his  Tent  and  of  those  who  tent  in 
heaven. 

It  was  granted  to  the  Beast  to  make  war  with  the  holy  and 
to  conquer  them,  and  power  was  granted  to  him  over  every 
tribe  and  people  and  tongue  and  nation.  All  the  inhabitants 
of  the  earth  will  worship  him,  all  whose  names  have  not  been 
written  from  the  foundation  of  the  world  in  the  slain  Lamb’s 
Book  of  Life.  If  any  one  has  an  ear  let  him  hear.  If  any  one 
is  destined  to  captivity,  into  captivity  he  will  go.  If  any  one 
is  to  be  killed  by  the  sword,  by  the  sword  must  he  be  killed. 
Here  is  the  endurance  and  the  faith  of  the  holy. 

Then  I  saw  another  Beast  coming  up  out  of  the  land.  It  had 
two  horns  like  those  of  a  lamb,  but  it  spoke  like  a  dragon.  It 
exercises  all  the  authority  of  the  first  Beast  in  his  presence. 
It  compels  the  earth  and  its  inhabitants  to  worship  the  first 
Beast  whose  mortal  wound  was  healed.  It  does  great  signs, 
making  fire  descend  from  heaven  to  earth  in  the  sight  of  men. 
It  leads  astray  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  because  of  the 
signs  which  it  has  been  granted  power  to  do  in  the  presence 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


431 


of  the  Beast.  It  tells  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  to  make  an 
image  of  the  Beast  which  was  wounded  by  the  sword,  yet  lived. 
Power  was  granted  to  it  to  give  breath  to  the  image  of  the 
Beast,  so  that  the  image  of  the  Beast  spoke  and  it  caused  all 
who  did  not  worship  the  image  of  the  Beast  to  be  put  to  death. 
It  causes  all,  small  and  great,  rich  and  poor,  freemen  and 
slaves,  to  have  a  mark  put  on  their  right  hands  or  on  their 
foreheads,  so  that  no  one  can  buy  or  sell  unless  he  has  the  mark 
—  the  name  of  the  Beast  or  the  number  of  his  name. 

Here  wisdom  is  required.  Let  him  who  has  understanding 
count  the  number  of  the  Beast;  for  it  is  the  number  of  a  man. 
His  number  is  six  hundred  and  sixty-six. 

XIV 

Then  I  looked  and  there  was  a  Lamb  standing  on  Mount 
Zion,  and  with  him  a  hundred  and  forty-four  thousand  who 
had  his  name  and  the  name  of  his  Father  written  on  their  fore¬ 
heads.  I  heard  a  sound  from  heaven  like  the  sound  of  many 
waters,  like  the  sound  of  loud  thunder.  The  sound  that  I 
heard  was  as  of  harpers  playing  on  their  harps.  They  sang  a 
new  song  before  the  throne  and  before  the  four  living  creatures 
and  the  eiders.  No  one  could  learn  the  song  except  the  hundred 
and  forty-four  thousand  who  had  been  ransomed  from  the 
earth.  These  are  they  who  were  not  defiled  with  women;  for 
they  are  virgins.  They  follow  the  Lamb  wherever  he  goes.  They 
were  ransomed  from  among  men  as  first-fruits  for  God  and  the 
Lamb.  No  lie  was  found  in  their  mouths.  They  are  stainless. 

Then  I  saw  another  angel  flying  in  mid-heaven  having 
eternal  good  news  to  proclaim  to  those  who  dwell  on  the  earth, 
to  every  nation  and  tribe  and  tongue  and  people.  He  said  in 
a  loud  voice,  “  Reverence  God  and  give  glory  to  him,  for  the 
hour  of  his  judgment  has  come,  and  worship  him  who  made 
heaven  and  earth  and  sea  and  springs  of  water.”  Another 
angel,  a  second,  followed,  saying,  “  Babylon  the  great  has 
fallen,  has  fallen,  she  who  has  made  all  the  nations  drink  of  the 
wine  of  her  passion  for  unchastity.”  Another  angel,  a  third, 
followed  them,  saying  in  a  loud  voice,  “If  any  one  worships 
the  Beast  and  his  image  and  receives  his  mark  on  his  forehead 


432 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


and  on  his  hand,  he  also  will  drink  of  the  wine  of  God’s 
passion  which  has  been  mixed  undiluted  in  the  cup  of  his 
wrath,  and  he  will  be  tortured  in  fire  and  brimstone  in  the 
presence  of  holy  angels  and  in  the  presence  of  the  Lamb.  And 
the  smoke  of  their  torture  will  ascend  for  ages  of  ages  and  they 
will  have  no  rest  day  or  night  —  those  who  worship  the  Beast 
and  his  image,  and  any  one  who  receives  the  mark  of  his  name.” 
Here  is  the  endurance  of  the  holy  who  keep  the  commands  of 
God  and  the  faith  of  Jesus. 

Then  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  saying,  “Write:  Blessed 
are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  henceforth.”  “Yes,”  says 
the  Spirit,  “that  they  may  rest  from  their  toils.  For  their 
works  follow  with  them.” 

Then  I  looked  and  there  was  a  white  cloud,  and  sitting  on 
the  cloud  was  one  like  a  son  of  man.  He  had  on  his  head  a 
golden  crown  and  in  his  hand  a  sharp  sickle.  Another  angel 
came  out  of  the  Temple  and  shouted  with  a  loud  voice  to  him 
who  was  sitting  on  the  cloud,  “Thrust  in  your  sickle  and  reap, 
for  the  hour  to  reap  has  come,  for  the  harvest  of  the  earth  is 
dry.”  He  who  was  sitting  on  the  cloud  swung  his  sickle  over 
the  earth  and  the  earth  was  reaped. 

Then  another  angel  came  out  from  the  Temple  that  is  in 
heaven  and  he  too  had  a  sharp  sickle.  Another  angel  came  out 
from  the  altar,  he  who  has  power  over  fire,  and  he  called  with 
a  loud  voice  to  him  who  had  the  sharp  sickle,  “Thrust  in  your 
sharp  sickle  and  gather  the  clusters  of  the  vine  of  the  earth, 
for  its  grapes  are  fully  ripe.”  Then  the  angel  swung  his  sickle 
to  the  earth  and  gathered  the  vintage  of  the  earth  and  flung  it 
into  the  great  winepress  of  the  wrath  of  God.  The  winepress 
was  trodden  outside  the  city  and  blood  came  out  from  the  wine¬ 
press  as  high  as  the  horses’  bridles  for  a  thousand  and  six 
hundred  furlongs.1 


XV 

Then  I  saw  another  sign  in  heaven.  It  was  great  and  wonderful 
—  seven  angels  with  the  seven  plagues  which  are  the  last,  for 
with  them  the  wrath  of  God  is  fully  executed. 

1  About  two  hundred  miles. 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


433 


Then  I  saw  what  was  like  a  sea  of  glass  mixed  with  fire,  and 
those  who  had  come  victorious  from  the  Beast  and  his  image 
and  the  number  of  his  name  standing  by  the  glassy  sea  with 
harps  of  God.  They  were  singing  the  song  of  Moses  the  servant 
of  God  and  the  song  of  the  Lamb,  saying:  “ Great  and  wonder¬ 
ful  are  thy  works,  Lord  God  Almighty.  Just  and  true  are  thy 
ways,  0  King  of  the  nations.  Who  will  not  reverence  and 
glorify  thy  name,  0  Lord?  For  thou  only  art  holy.  All  the 
nations  will  come  and  worship  before  thee,  because  thy  right¬ 
eous  acts  have  been  made  manifest.” 

After  this  I  looked  and  the  Temple  of  the  Tent  of  testimony 
in  heaven  was  opened,  and  the  seven  angels  with  the  seven  last 
plagues  came  out  of  the  Temple,  clothed  in  pure  shining  linen 
and  girded  around  their  breasts  with  golden  girdles.  One  of 
the  four  living  creatures  gave  to  the  seven  angels  seven  golden 
bowls  filled  with  the  wrath  of  God  who  lives  for  the  ages  of  the 
ages.  The  Temple  was  filled  with  smoke  from  the  glory  of 
God  and  from  his  power,  and  no  one  could  enter  the  Temple 
until  the  seven  plagues  of  the  seven  angels  were  finished. 

XVI 

Then  I  heard  a  loud  voice  saying  from  the  Temple  to  the  seven 
angels,  “  Go  and  pour  out  the  seven  bowls  of  the  wrath  of  God 
upon  the  earth.” 

The  first  went  away  and  poured  his  bowl  upon  the  land,  and 
there  came  an  evil  and  malignant  ulcer  on  the  men  who  had 
the  mark  of  the  Beast  and  those  who  worshiped  its  image. 

The  second  angel  poured  out  his  bowl  upon  the  sea,  and  it 
became  blood  like  that  of  a  dead  man  and  every  living  thing 
that  was  in  the  sea  died. 

The  third  angel  poured  out  his  bowl  upon  the  rivers  and  the 
springs  of  water,  and  they  became  blood.  Then  I  heard  the 
angel  of  the  waters  saying,  “Just  art  thou  who  art  and  wast, 
the  Holy  One,  because  thou  hast  so  judged,  for  they  poured 
out  the  blood  of  thy  holy  ones  and  prophets  and  thou  hast 
given  them  blood  to  drink.  They  deserve  it.”  Then  I  heard 
the  altar  saying,  “Yes,  0  Lord  God  Almighty,  true  and  just 
are  thy  judgments.” 


434 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


The  fourth  angel  poured  out  his  bowl  on  the  sun,  and  it  was 
granted  to  him  to  scorch  men  with  fire.  Men  were  scorched 
with  great  heat  and  they  insulted  the  name  of  God  who  had 
power  over  these  plagues,  but  they  did  not  repent  and  give 
him  glory. 

The  fifth  angel  poured  out  his  bowl  upon  the  throne  of  the 
Beast,  and  his  kingdom  became  darkened  and  men  bit  their 
tongues  from  pain  and  insulted  the  God  of  heaven  for  their 
pains  and  their  ulcers,  but  they  did  not  repent  of  their  deeds. 

The  sixth  angel  poured  out  his  bowl  on  the  great  river 
Euphrates,  and  its  water  was  dried  up  to  make  a  road  ready  for 
the  kings  from  the  sunrising.  Then  I  saw  come  out  of  the 
mouth  of  the  Dragon  and  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Beast  and 
out  of  the  mouth  of  the  False  Prophet  three  impure  spirits 
like  frogs.  They  are  the  spirits  of  demons  who  work  miracles, 
and  they  go  forth  to  the  kings  of  the  whole  habitable  world  to 
gather  them  for  the  battle  of  the  great  day  of  God  the  Al¬ 
mighty.  (“I  am  coming  like  a  thief.  Blessed  is  he  who  is 
watching  and  keeping  his  garments  so  that  he  may  not  go 
naked  and  people  see  his  shame!”)  The  spirits  gathered  them 
to  the  place  called  in  Hebrew  Har-Magedon. 

The  seventh  angel  poured  out  his  bowl  on  the  air,  and  a  loud 
voice  came  from  the  Temple,  from  the  throne,  saying,  “It  is 
done!”  Then  came  lightnings  and  voices  and  thunders  and  a 
great  earthquake.  So  great  an  earthquake  has  not  occurred 
since  man  came  upon  the  earth.  The  great  city  was  divided 
into  three  parts  and  the  cities  of  the  Gentiles  fell.  Then 
Babylon  the  Great  was  remembered  before  God  —  to  give  to 
her  the  cup  of  the  wine  of  his  fierce  wrath.  Every  island  fled 
and  the  mountains  were  not  found.  And  great  hailstones  each 
weighing  about  a  hundred  pounds  fell  from  heaven  on  men. 
Men  insulted  God  because  of  the  hail,  for  the  plague  of  it  was 
great. 


XVII 

Then  came  one  of  the  seven  angels  that  had  the  seven  plagues 
and  spoke  with  me.  He  said,  “Come  here.  I  will  show  you  the 
doom  of  the  great  prostitute  who  sits  on  many  waters  and  with 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


435 


whom  the  kings  of  the  earth  have  committed  lewdness,  while 
the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  have  become  drunk  with  the  wine 
of  her  lewdness.”  He  carried  me  away  in  the  Spirit  into  a 
wilderness.  There  I  saw  a  woman  sitting  upon  a  scarlet  beast 
covered  with  profane  names,  and  with  seven  heads  and  ten 
horns.  The  woman  was  clothed  in  purple  and  scarlet  and 
adorned  with  gold  and  precious  stones  and  pearls.  She  had  in 
her  hand  a  golden  cup  full  of  abominations  and  the  impurities 
of  her  lewdness.  On  her  forehead  was  written  a  mysterious 
name:  “Babylon  the  Great,  the  Mother  of  Prostitutes  and  of 
the  abominations  of  the  earth.  ”  I  saw  the  woman  drunk  with 
the  blood  of  the  holy  and  with  the  blood  of  the  witnesses  for 
Jesus. 

When  I  saw  her  I  wondered  greatly.  The  angel  said  to  me, 
“Why  do  you  wonder?  I  will  tell  you  the  mystic  meaning  of 
the  woman  and  the  beast  with  seven  heads  and  ten  horns  that 
carries  her.  The  Beast  which  you  saw  was  and  is  not  and  will 
soon  come  up  out  of  the  abyss  and  go  into  destruction.  And 
the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  whose  names  have  not  been  written 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world  in  the  Book  of  Life  will  be 
amazed  when  they  see  the  Beast  that  was  and  is  not  and  will 
be.  Here  is  need  for  a  mind  that  has  wisdom. 

“The  seven  heads  are  seven  mountains  upon  which  the 
woman  sits.  Also  they  are  seven  kings.  Five  have  fallen,  one 
is,  the  other  has  not  yet  come ;  but  when  he  comes  he  must  stay 
but  a  little  while.  The  Beast  which  was  and  is  not  is  also  him¬ 
self  an  eighth,  yet  is  one  of  the  seven,  and  will  go  into  destruc¬ 
tion.  The  ten  horns  that  you  saw  are  ten  kings  who  have  not 
yet  received  kingly  power,  but  they  will  receive  power  as  kings 
for  one  hour  with  the  Beast.  They  have  one  mind  and  they 
give  over  their  power  and  authority  to  the  Beast.  They  will 
make  war  with  the  Lamb,  but  the  Lamb  will  conquer  them, 
for  he  is  Lord  of  lords  and  King  of  kings.  They  who  are  with 
him,  called  and  chosen  and  faithful,  will  also  conquer.”  He 
said  to  me,  “The  waters  that  you  saw  where  the  prostitute 
was  sitting  are  peoples  and  crowds  and  nations  and  tongues. 
The  ten  horns  that  you  saw  and  the  Beast  —  they  hate  the 
prostitute  and  will  make  her  desolate  and  naked  and  they  will 


436 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


devour  her  flesh  and  will  burn  her  up  with  fire.  For  God  has 
put  it  in  their  hearts  to  carry  out  his  purpose,  which  is  that 
they  shall  carry  out  one  purpose  and  give  their  royal  power  to 
the  Beast  until  the  words  of  God  are  fulfilled.  The  woman  that 
you  saw  is  the  great  city  that  has  kingly  power  over  the  kings 
of  the  earth.” 


XVIII 

After  this  I  saw  another  angel  descending  from  heaven  with 
great  power,  and  the  earth  was  lit  up  with  his  splendor.  He 
shouted  with  a  powerful  voice,  saying,  “  Babylon  the  Great  has 
fallen,  has  fallen,  and  has  become  a  habitation  of  demons  and 
a  stronghold  of  every  impure  spirit  and  a  stronghold  of  every 
unclean  and  detested  bird.  For  all  the  nations  have  drunk  of 
the  wine  of  her  passion  for  lewdness  and  the  kings  of  the  earth 
have  committed  lewdness  with  her  and  by  the  excess  of  her 
luxury  the  merchants  of  the  earth  have  grown  rich.” 

Then  I  heard  another  voice  from  heaven  saying,  “Come  out 
of  her,  my  people,  that  you  may  not  take  part  in  her  sins  nor 
receive  a  share  in  her  plagues,  for  her  sins  have  been  heaped  up 
to  heaven  and  God  has  remembered  her  unrighteous  deeds. 
Repay  to  her  as  she  has  paid,  and  make  it  double  for  her  deeds. 
In  the  cup  she  mixed  mix  double  for  her.  As  much  as  she  glori¬ 
fied  herself  and  played  the  wanton,  so  much  give  her  torture 
and  woe.  For  in  her  heart  she  says,  ‘I  sit  here  a  queen;  no 
widow  am  I  and  woe  I  shall  not  see/  For  this  reason  in  one 
day  her  plagues  will  come,  death  and  woe  and  famine,  and  she 
shall  be  burned  up  in  fire.  For  strong  is  the  Lord  God  who  has 
judged  her. 

“The  kings  of  the  earth  who  have  committed  lewdness  with 
her  and  have  reveled  luxuriously,  when  they  see  the  smoke  of 
her  burning,  will  wail  and  beat  their  breasts.  Standing  afar 
because  of  their  dismay  at  her  torture,  they  will  say,  ‘Alas, 
alas,  0  great  city,  Babylon  the  strong  city,  for  in  one  hour  your 
doom  has  come!’  The  merchants  of  the  earth  will  weep  and 
wail  over  her,  for  no  one  will  any  longer  buy  their  cargoes, 
cargoes  of  gold  and  silver  and  precious  stones  and  pearls  and 
fine  linen  and  purple  and  silk  and  scarlet,  all  kinds  of  citrus 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


437 


wood  and  their  many  kinds  of  articles  of  ivory  and  their  many 
kinds  of  articles  of  costliest  wood  and  brass  and  iron  and 
marble,  and  cinnamon  and  spice  and  incense  and  ointment  and 
frankincense  and  wine,  and  olive  oil  and  fine  flour  and  wheat, 
and  cattle  and  sheep  and  horses  and  chariots,  and  bodies  and 
souls  of  men.  The  ripe  fruits  for  which  your  soul  longed  have 
gone  from  jmu,  and  all  your  dainty  and  splendid  things  are  lost 
to  you  and  they  will  never  more  be  found.  The  traders  in 
these  things  who  grew  rich  from  her  will  stand  afar  through 
dismay  at  her  torture,  weeping  and  wailing  and  saying :  ‘  Alas, 
alas,  for  the  great  city,  clothed  in  fine  linen  and  purple 
and  scarlet  and  adorned  with  gold  and  precious  stones  and 
pearls!  For  in  one  hour  this  vast  wealth  has  given  place  to 
desolation.’” 

Every  ship  captain  and  every  one  who  sails  anywhere,  and 
sailors  and  all  who  gain  their  living  on  the  sea,  stood  afar  and 
shouted  as  they  saw  the  smoke  of  her  burning,  saying,  “What 
city  could  compare  with  the  great  city?”  They  threw  dust 
upon  their  heads  and  shouted  as  they  wept  and  wailed,  saying, 
“Alas,  alas,  for  the  great  city  in  which  all  who  had  ships  on  the 
sea  grew  rich  from  her  wealth!  For  in  an  hour  she  has  been 
desolated.  Rejoice  over  her,  O  heaven,  and  you  the  holy  and 
you  apostles  and  prophets!  For  God  has  pronounced  sentence 
in  your  behalf  against  her.” 

Then  one  strong  angel  took  up  a  stone  like  a  great  millstone, 
and  hurled  it  into  the  sea,  saying,  “With  such  violence  shall 
Babylon  the  great  city  be  hurled  down  and  she  will  never  more 
be  found.  The  music  of  harpers  and  musicians  and  flute-players 
and  trumpeters  will  never  more  be  heard  in  you.  No  master  of 
any  art  will  ever  more  be  found  in  you.  The  sound  of  the  mill 
will  never  more  be  heard  in  you.  The  light  of  a  lamp  will  never 
more  shine  in  you.  The  voices  of  bridegroom  and  bride  will 
never  again  be  heard  in  you.  Your  merchants  were  the  great 
ones  of  the  earth;  for  by  your  magic  arts  all  the  nations  were 
led  astray.  In  her  was  found  the  blood  of  prophets  and  of  holy 
men  and  of  all  who  had  been  slain  on  the  earth.” 


438 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


XIX 

After  this  I  heard  what  seemed  the  loud  voices  of  a  great 
multitude  in  heaven  saying,  “ Hallelujah!  Salvation  and 
glory  and  power  belong  to  our  God,  for  true  and  just  are  his 
judgments.  He  has  judged  the  great  prostitute  who  was  cor¬ 
rupting  the  earth  with  her  lewdness  and  he  has  avenged  on  her 
the  blood  of  his  servants.”  Again  they  shouted,  “Hallelujah! 
Her  smoke  will  ascend  for  the  ages  of  the  ages.  ” 

Then  the  twenty-four  elders  fell  down  and  the  four  living 
creatures  worshiped  God  who  sits  on  the  throne,  saying, 
“Amen!  Hallelujah!”  A  voice  came  from  the  throne  saying, 
“Praise  our  God,  all  of  you  his  servants  who  reverence  him, 
both  small  and  great.”  Then  I  heard  what  seemed  like  the 
voices  of  a  great  multitude,  like  the  sound  of  many  waters, 
like  the  sound  of  mighty  thunders,  saying,  “Hallelujah!  For 
the  Lord  our  God  the  Almighty  is  king.  Let  us  rejoice  and  be 
glad  and  give  glory  to  him;  for  the  marriage  of  the  Lamb  has 
come  and  his  bride  has  prepared  herself  and  it  has  been  granted 
to  her  to  be  clothed  in  fine  linen  shining  and  pure.”  For  the 
fine  linen  is  the  righteous  acts  of  the  holy. 

Then  he  said  to  me,  “Write:  Blessed  are  they  who  are  invited 
to  the  wedding  supper  of  the  Lamb!”  He  said  to  me,  “These 
are  the  true  words  of  God.”  Then  I  fell  down  at  his  feet  and 
worshiped  him.  But  he  said  to  me,  “No,  no.  I  am  a  fellow 
servant  of  yours  and  of  your  brethren  who  hold  the  testimony 
to  Jesus.  Worship  God.  For  testimony  to  Jesus  is  the  spirit 
of  prophecy.” 

Then  I  saw  heaven  open  and  there  was  a  white  horse,  and 
he  who  was  sitting  on  it  was  called  Faithful  and  True,  and  in 
righteousness  he  judges  and  makes  war.  His  eyes  are  a  flame 
of  fire  and  on  his  head  are  many  diadems.  He  has  a  name 
written  which  no  one  but  himself  knows,  and  he  is  clothed  in  a 
garment  dipped  in  blood  and  his  name  has  been  called  The 
Word  of  God.  The  armies  that  are  in  heaven  follow  him  on 
white  horses  clothed  in  fine  linen  white  and  clean.  From  his 
mouth  issues  a  sharp  sword  to  smite  the  nations.  He  will 
shepherd  them  with  a  rod  of  iron,  and  he  treads  the  winepress 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


439 


of  the  fierce  wrath  of  God  Almighty.  He  has  on  his  robe  and 
on  his  thigh  a  name  written, “  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords.  ” 

Then  I  saw  one  angel  standing  on  the  sun,  and  he  shouted 
with  a  loud  voice,  saying  to  all  the  birds  that  fly  in  mid-heaven, 
“Come,  gather  for  the  great  feast  of  God,  to  eat  the  flesh  of 
kings  and  the  flesh  of  generals  and  the  flesh  of  mighty  men,  and 
the  flesh  of  horses  and  of  those  who  sit  on  them,  and  the  flesh 
of  freemen  and  of  slaves,  of  small  and  great.” 

Then  I  saw  the  Beast  and  the  kings  of  the  earth  and  their 
armies  gathered  to  do  battle  with  him  who  sits  on  the  horse  and 
with  his  army.  And  the  Beast  was  captured  and  with  him  the 
False  Prophet  who  did  miracles  in  his  presence  and  thereby 
misled  those  who  received  the  mark  of  the  Beast  and  who  wor¬ 
shiped  his  image.  The  two  were  flung  alive  into  the  lake  of 
fire  that  burns  with  brimstone.  The  rest  were  slain  with  the 
sword  of  him  who  sits  upon  the  horse,  the  sword  that  issued 
from  his  mouth,  and  all  the  birds  were  gorged  with  their  flesh. 

XX 

Then  I  saw  an  angel  descending  from  heaven  with  the  key  of 
the  abyss  and  a  great  chain  in  his  hand.  He  laid  hold  of  the 
Dragon,  the  ancient  Serpent,  who  is  the  Devil  and  Satan,  and 
chained  him  for  a  thousand  years  and  flung  him  into  the  abyss 
and  shut  it  and  sealed  it  over  him,  so  that  he  should  not  mislead 
the  nations  until  the  thousand  years  were  ended.  After  that 
he  must  be  loosed  for  a  little  while. 

Then  I  saw  thrones,  and  men  took  their  seats  on  them  and 
the  power  to  judge  was  granted  to  them.  I  saw  the  souls  of 
those  who  had  been  beheaded  for  their  testimony  to  Jesus  and 
for  God’s  message,  and  who  had  not  worshiped  the  Beast  nor 
his  image  and  had  not  received  his  mark  on  their  foreheads  or 
on  their  hands.  They  lived  and  reigned  as  kings  with  Christ  a 
thousand  years,  but  the  rest  of  the  dead  did  not  return  to  life 
until  the  thousand  years  were  finished.  This  is  the  first  resur¬ 
rection.  Blessed  and  holy  is  he  who  has  part  in  the  first  resur¬ 
rection!  Over  these  the  second  death  has  no  power,  but  they 
will  be  priests  and  kings  of  God  and  of  Christ,  and  will  reign 
with  him  the  thousand  years. 


440 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


When  the  thousand  years  are  ended,  Satan  will  be  loosed 
from  his  prison  and  will  come  out  to  mislead  the  nations  that 
are  at  the  four  corners  of  the  earth  —  Gog  and  Magog  —  and 
gather  them  to  battle  in  number  like  the  sand  of  the  sea.  They 
went  up  over  the  breadth  of  the  earth  and  encircled  the  camp 
of  the  holy  and  the  beloved  city.  But  fire  fell  from  heaven 
and  consumed  them,  and  the  Devil  who  was  misleading  them 
was  flung  into  the  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone,  where  are  also 
the  Beast  and  the  False  Prophet,  and  they  will  be  tormented 
day  and  night  for  the  ages  of  the  ages. 

Then  I  saw  a  great  white  throne  and  him  who  was  sitting  on 
it,  from  whose  face  earth  and  heaven  fled  away  and  no  place 
was  found  for  them.  And  I  saw  the  dead,  the  great  and  the 
small,  standing  before  the  throne,  and  books  were  opened. 
And  another  book  was  opened  which  is  the  Book  of  Life.  The 
dead  were  judged  out  of  what  was  written  in  the  books  accord¬ 
ing  to  their  deeds.  The  sea  gave  up  the  dead  that  were  in  it, 
and  Death  and  Hades  gave  up  the  dead  that  were  in  them,  and 
they  were  judged  each  according  to  his  deeds.  Death  and 
Hades  were  flung  into  the  lake  of  fire.  This  is  the  second 
death  —  the  lake  of  fire.  If  any  one  was  not  found  written  in 
the  Book  of  Life  he  was  flung  into  the  lake  of  fire. 

XXI 

Then  I  saw  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth,  for  the  first  heaven 
and  the  first  earth  had  passed  away  and  the  sea  was  no  more. 

I  saw  the  holy  city,  new  Jerusalem,  descending  out  of  heaven 
from  God,  prepared  as  a  bride  adorned  for  her  husband.  And 
I  heard  a  loud  voice  from  the  throne  saying,  “The  Tent  of  God 
is  with  men.  He  will  tent  with  them  and  they  will  be  his 
people  and  he  will  be  their  God.  He  will  wipe  every  tear  from 
their  eyes.  Death  shall  be  no  more;  neither  shall  there  any 
longer  be  sorrow  or  wailing  or  painful  toil;  for  the  first  things 
have  passed  away.”  He  who  was  sitting  on  the  throne  said, 
“See,  I  am  making  all  things  new.”  He  said,  “Write;  for 
these  words  are  trustworthy  and  true.”  Lie  said  to  me,  “They 
have  come  to  pass.  I  am  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,  the  begin¬ 
ning  and  the  end.  To  him  who  is  thirsting  I  will  give  from  the 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


441 


spring  of  the  water  of  life  freely.  He  who  conquers  shall 
inherit  all  things,  and  I  will  be  his  God  and  he  shall  be  to  me  a 
son.  But  the  timid  and  faithless  and  abominable  and  murder¬ 
ers  and  the  unchaste  and  sorcerers  and  idolaters  and  all  liars 
will  have  their  lot  in  the  lake  that  burns  with  fire  and  brim¬ 
stone,  which  is  the  second  death.” 

Then  one  of  the  angels  that  had  the  seven  bowls  filled  with 
the  seven  last  plagues  came  and  spoke  with  me.  “Come  here,” 
he  said,  “and  I  will  show  you  the  Bride,  the  Lamb’s  wife.” 
Then  he  carried  me  in  Spirit  to  the  top  of  a  great  and  high 
mountain  and  showed  me  the  holy  city  Jerusalem  descending 
out  of  heaven  from  God,  having  the  glory  of  God.  Her  bril¬ 
liance  was  like  that  of  a  most  precious  stone,  like  crystalline 
jasper.  She  had  a  wall  great  and  high,  and  she  had  twelve  gates 
and  at  the  gates  twelve  angels,  and  there  were  names  written 
upon  the  gates.  They  are  the  names  of  the  twelve  tribes  of  the 
sons  of  Israel.  On  the  east  were  three  gates  and  on  the  north 
three  gates  and  on  the  south  three  gates  and  on  the  west 
three  gates.  The  wall  of  the  city  had  twelve  foundations  and 
upon  them  were  twelve  names,  the  names  of  the  twelve  apostles 
of  the  Lamb. 

He  who  was  speaking  with  me  had  a  golden  reed  as  a  meas¬ 
ure,  to  measure  the  city  and  her  gates  and  her  wall.  The 
city  stands  foursquare  and  the  length  is  the  same  as  the 
breadth.  He  measured  the  city  with  the  reed.  It  extends 
twelve  thousand  furlongs.1  The  length  and  the  breadth  and 
the  height  of  it  are  equal.  He  measured  the  wall  of  it,  a  hun¬ 
dred  and  forty-four  cubits 2  by  human  measure,  which  is  also 
that  of  an  angel. 

The  material  of  the  wall  of  it  was  jasper  and  the  city  was 
pure  gold  like  clear  glass.  The  foundations  of  the  wall  of  the 
city  were  decorated  with  every  kind  of  precious  stone.  The 
first  foundation  was  jasper,  the  second  sapphire,  the  third 
chalcedony,  the  fourth  emerald,  the  fifth  sardonyx,  the  sixth 
sardius,  the  seventh  chrysolite,  the  eighth  beryl,  the  ninth 
topaz,  the  tenth  chrysoprase,  the  eleventh  jacinth,  the 

1  Nearly  fifteen  hundred  miles. 

2  About  two  hundred  and  sixteen  feet. 


442 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


twelfth  amethyst.  The  twelve  gates  were  twelve  pearls.  Each 
one  of  the  gates  was  of  one  pearl.  The  street  of  the  city  was 
pure  gold  like  transparent  glass. 

I  saw  no  temple  in  it;  for  its  temple  is  the  Lord  God  the 
Almighty  and  the  Lamb.  And  the  city  has  no  need  of  the  sun 
or  of  the  moon  to  shine  in  it ;  for  the  glory  of  God  illumines  it 
and  the  Lamb  is  its  light.  The  nations  will  walk  by  its  light 
and  the  kings  of  the  earth  will  bring  their  glory  into  it,  and  its 
gates  will  not  be  closed  by  day,  and  there  will  be  no  night 
there.  They  will  bring  the  glory  and  honor  of  the  nations  into 
it.  But  there  will  not  enter  into  it  anything  unholy  or  any  one 
who  makes  an  abomination  or  a  lie,  but  only  those  who  are 
written  in  the  Lamb’s  Book  of  Life. 

XXII 

Then  he  showed  me  a  river  of  water  of  life  bright  as  crystal, 
issuing  from  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb.  In  the  space 
between  the  street  and  the  river,  on  this  side  and  on  that,  grew 
trees  of  life  bearing  twelve  kinds  of  fruit,  and  yielding  their 
fruit  every  month.  The  leaves  of  the  tree  were  for  the  healing 
of  the  nations.  There  will  no  longer  be  any  accursed  thing. 
The  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  will  be  in  it  and  his  serv¬ 
ants  will  worship  him  with  holy  rites.  They  will  see  his  face 
and  his  name  will  be  on  their  foreheads.  There  will  not  be 
night  any  more  and  they  will  have  no  need  of  lamplight  or  of 
sunlight;  for  the  Lord  God  will  shine  upon  them  and  they  will 
be  kings  for  the  ages  of  the  ages. 

Then  he  said  to  me,  “  These  words  are  trustworthy  and  true. 
The  Lord  God  of  the  spirits  of  the  prophets  has  sent  his  angel 
to  show  to  his  servants  what  must  soon  come  to  pass.  I  am 
coming  soon.  Blessed  is  he  who  is  keeping  the  words  of  the 
prophecy  of  this  book.” 

I,  John,  am  he  who  heard  and  saw  these  things.  And  when 
I  had  heard  and  seen  I  fell  down  to  worship  at  the  feet  of  the 
angel  who  had  shown  them  to  me.  But  he  said  to  me,  “No,  no. 
I  am  a  fellow  servant  of  yours  and  of  your  brethren  and  of  the 
prophets  and  of  those  who  are  keeping  the  words  of  this  book. 
Worship  God.” 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JOHN 


443 


Then  he  said  to  me,  “Do  not  seal  up  the  words  of  the  proph¬ 
ecy  of  this  book.  For  the  time  is  near.  Let  the  wrongdoer 
do  wrong  still,  and  let  him  who  is  filthy  be  filthy  still,  and  let 
the  righteous  do  righteousness  still,  and  let  the  holy  be  holy 
still.  I  am  coming  soon  and  my  reward  is  with  me,  to  pay  each 
in  full  as  his  work  is.  I  am  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,  the  First 
and  the  Last,  the  Beginning  and  the  End.  Blessed  will  those 
be  who  wash  their  robes  so  that  they  may  have  the  right  to  the 
tree  of  life  and  may  enter  by  the  gates  into  the  city.  Outside 
are  the  dogs  and  the  sorcerers  and  the  unchaste  and  the 
murderers  and  the  idolaters  and  every  one  who  loves  and 
makes  a  lie. 

“  I,  Jesus,  have  sent  my  angel  to  give  you  this  testimony  for 
the  churches.  I  am  the  Root  and  the  Offspring  of  David,  the 
bright  morning  Star.” 

The  Spirit  and  the  Bride  say,  “Come.”  Let  him  who  hears 
say,  “Come.”  Let  him  who  thirsts  come.  Let  him  who  will 
take  the  water  of  life  freely. 

I  testify  to  every  one  who  hears  the  words  of  the  prophecy 
of  this  book,  if  any  one  adds  to  these  things,  God  will  add  to 
him  the  plagues  that  are  written  in  this  book,  and  if  any  one 
takes  away  anything  from  the  words  of  the  book  of  this 
prophecy,  God  will  take  away  his  share  from  the  tree  of  life 
and  from  the  holy  city,  which  are  written  of  in  this  book. 

He  who  bears  this  testimony  says,  “  Yes,  I  am  coming  soon.” 
Amen,  come,  Lord  Jesus. 

The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  all! 


INDEX 


Abraham,  131,  169,  259,  266,  375,  389. 
Adam,  261,  297. 

Adultery,  8,  131. 

Agabus,  218,  238. 

Agrippa,  247. 

Akeldama,  197. 

Alpha  and  Omega,  415. 

Ananias  and  Sapphira,  203. 

Ananias  of  Damascus,  212. 

Andrew,  152,  177. 

Angels,  32,  93,  369,  384.  * 

Anna,  97. 

Annas,  187. 

Annunciation  to  Mary,  93. 

Anointing  of  Jesus,  48,  84,  109. 
Antichrist,  406,  407. 

Antioch,  218,  220. 

Antioch,  Pisidia,  221. 

Apollos,  233. 

Apostles,  16,  61,  105,  196. 

Aquila,  231. 

Armor  of  God,  330. 

Artemis,  234. 

Ascension,  150,  196. 

Atoning  Sacrifice,  258,  405.  \ 
Authorities,  271. 

Authority  of  Jesus,  38,  80,  138. 

Babylon,  435. 

Balaam,  402. 

Baptism,  4,  56,  91,  156,  212,  278,  297. 
Barabbas,  52,  53,  88,  146. 

Bar-Jesus,  220. 

Barnabas,  203,  218,  220,  224,  227. 
Bartimseus,  78. 

Bearing  burdens,  322. 

Beast,  430,  439. 

Beatitudes,  6,  106. 

Beautiful  Gate,  200. 

Beelzebul,  21,  62,  119. 

Belief  and  confession,  268. 

Benedictus,  38,  79. 

Benedictus  of  Zacharias,  95. 

Bent  woman,  125. 

Beroea,  230. 

Bethesda,  159. 

Bethlehem,  2,  3,  96. 

Bethlehem,  babes,  3. 


Bethsaidai  19,  117. 

Birds,  10. 

Birth  from  above,  155. 

Bishop,  354,  364. 

Blind,  37,  72,  78,  170. 

Blind  leading  blind,  107. 

Body  and  members,  292. 

Bowls  of  wrath,  433. 

Bread  of  life,  163. 

Building  of  God,  305. 

Caesar,  41,  81,  139. 

Caiaphas,  51,  176,  188. 

Call  of  four,  6,  103. 

Camel  and  needle’s  eye,  35. 

Cana,  153,  158. 

Canaanite  woman,  28. 

Capernaum,  5,  19,  117. 

Centurion,  13,  54,  90,  107,  147. 
Cheerful  giving,  310. 

Children,  32,  35,  76,  134,  330. 
Chorazin,  19,  117. 

Christ  David’s  son,  41,  82,  140. 

Cities  reproached,  19,  117. 
Citizenship,  333. 

City  Clerk,  235. 

Claudius  Lysias,  243. 

Cleansing  Temple  courts,  38,  79,  154. 
Cold  or  hot,  419. 

Collection,  299. 

Coming  of  Christ,  44. 

Communism,  199. 

Conscience,  290. 

Cornelius,  214. 

Council,  225. 

Counselor,  181,  182,  184. 

Counting  cost,  128. 

Covenant,  49,  376,  378. 

Cretans,  364. 

Cross,  taking  up,  18,  73,  128. 

Crown  of  thorns,  53,  89,  189. 
Crucifixion,  53,  89,  147,  190. 

Cure  by  touch,  16;  by  shadow,  204. 
Curtain  of  Temple,  54,  90,  147. 

David’s  Lord,  41. 

Deacons,  354. 

Dead  bury  dead,  14. 


446 


INDEX 


Death  is  gain,  333. 

Defiling,  28,  70. 

Demetrius,  234. 

Demoniacs,  14,  21,  31,  58,  64,  74,  102, 
112,  115,  119,  234. 

Destruction  of  Jerusalem,  44,  83,  141. 
Devil,  5,  100. 

Dinner,  great,  127. 

Disciple  that  Jesus  loved,  180,  193, 
194. 

Disciples,  twelve,  16,  35,  61,  105. 
Discipline,  383. 

Disputed  questions,  272. 

Divisions,  278. 

Divorce,  8,  34,  76,  131,  285. 

Doing,  12,  107,  388. 

Dorcas,  214. 

Dragon,  429. 

Dumb  man,  16. 

Eating  with  sinners,  60,  104,  129. 

Egypt,  3. 

Elijah,  31,  73,  115. 

Elizabeth,  93. 

Elymas,  221. 

Emmaus,  148. 

End  of  the  world,  403. 

Enemies,  8,  106,  271. 

Ephesian  elders,  236. 

Ephesus,  235. 

Eternal  Life,  35. 

Ethiopian,  211. 

Eunuchs,  34. 

Eutychus,  236. 

Exorcists,  234. 

Faith,  31,  113,  259,  319,  380,  389. 

Fall  of  the  Jews,  269. 

Fasting,  15,  60,  104. 

Felix,  244. 

Festus,  246. 

Few  saved,  126. 

Fickleness,  302. 

Fig  tree,  38,  45,  79,  84,  125. 

Figures  of  speech,  62. 

First  commandment,  41,  81. 

Fishes,  32,  103,  193. 

Five  thousand  fed,  26,  69,  114,  161. 
Flesh  and  spirit,  264. 

Flesh  of  Jesus  eaten,  163. 

Forgiveness,  10,  59,  80,  104,  132,  147. 
Four  thousand  fed,  29,  71. 

Foxes,  13,  116. 

Freedom  in  Christ,  321. 


Friend  at  midnight,  119. 

Gabriel,  93. 

Galilaeans,  125. 

Gallio,  232. 

Gamaliel,  205. 

Gehenna,  32. 

Gethsemane,  50,  86,  144,  187. 

Girl  raised  to  life,  16,  66,  113. 

God  is  love,  409. 

God  is  spirit,  157. 

Gods,  men  called,  173. 

God’s  thoughts,  30. 

Golden  Rule,  11,  106. 

Golgotha,  53. 

Good  Samaritan,  118. 

Good  Shepherd,  172. 

Government,  395. 

Greatest  Commandment,  41,  81. 
Greatest  in  kingdom,  32,  37,  75,  78, 
116,  143. 

Grief  God  approves,  308. 

Guard  at  tomb,  55. 

Hating  father,  etc.,  128. 
Har-Magedon,  434. 

Hemorrhage  healed,  15,  66. 

Herod  (the  Great),  2. 

Herod  (Antipas),  25,  67,  99,  113,  126, 
146. 

Herod  (Agrippa  I),  219. 

Herodias,  26,  68. 

Hidden  treasure,  25. 

Holy  Spirit,  21,  62,  122,  197,  211,  217, 
233,  238,  292. 

Home  with  the  Lord,  305. 

Horse,  white,  421,  438;  red,  black, 
yellow,  422. 

House  on  rock,  12. 

Husbands  and  wives,  329. 

Iconium,  223. 

Idols,  287. 

Illustrations,  24. 

Importunate  widow,  134. 

Impure  spirit  returns,  120. 
Interpreting  crisis,  124. 

Inviting  guests,  127. 

Jacob  and  Esau,  266. 

Jailer  at  Philippi,  229. 

Ja'irus,  65,  112. 

James  and  John  request,  77. 

Jannes  and  Jambres,  361. 


INDEX 


447 


Jericho,  37,  78,  135. 

Jerusalem,  126,  140. 

Jesus,  ancestry,  1,  100;  birth,  2,  96; 
circumcision,  97;  presentation,  97; 
at  12  years,  98;  baptism,  4,  57,  99; 
temptation,  5,  57,  100;  calms  storm, 
14,  64,  111;  feeds  5000,  26,  69,  114, 
161;  walks  water,  27,  162;  transfig¬ 
ured,  30,  73,  115;  enters  Jerusalem, 

37,  78,  177;  cleanses  Temple  courts, 

38,  154;  last  supper,  49,  85,  142,  179; 
prayer,  185;  in  Gethsemane,  50,  86, 
144,  187;  crucified,  53,  89,  147,  190; 
laid  in  tomb,  54,  90,  148,  191;  ap¬ 
pears  after  resurrection,  55,  148, 
193;  exalted,  334;  second  coming, 
44,  84,  133,  140,  347,  349,  443;  sub¬ 
ject  to  God,  297. 

Jesus’  mother  and  brothers,  22,  62, 

111. 

John  the  Baptist,  birth,  94;  preaching, 
4,  57,  98,  151,  156;  sends  to  Jesus, 
18,  108;  greatness,  19,  109;  death, 
26,  67. 

John,  apostle,  6,  75,  77,  116,  200. 
John  Mark,  221,  227. 

Jonah,  22,  120. 

Joseph,  2,  96. 

Joseph  of  Arimathsea,  54,  90,  147,  191. 
Judging,  11,  391. 

Judgment,  last,  47,  440. 

Keys,  30. 

Kingdom  of  God,  24,  63,  76,  133,  273. 
Korban,  70,  77. 

Lake  of  fire,  439. 

Lamb  of  God,  152,  421. 

Lame  man  at  Lystra,  223. 

Last  Supper,  49,  85,  142,  179. 

Law,  7,  263,  319,  320,  352. 

Lawless  One,  350. 

Lazarus,  131,  174. 

Letters  to  Churches,  416. 

Leper,  12,  59,  103,  133. 

Levi,  60,  104. 

Life  eternal,  35,  76,  135,  185. 

Life,  losing  and  finding,  30. 

Lilies,  11. 

Little  book,  427. 

Living  water,  166. 

Locusts,  425. 

Lord’s  prayer,  9,  119. 

Lord’s  supper,  49,  85,  143. 


Lost  coin,  129. 

Lost  sheep,  129. 

Lot’s  wife,  133. 

Love,  293. 

Lydia,  228. 

\ 

Macedonia,  308. 

Macedonian,  227. 

Magnificat,  94. 

Manager,  wicked,  130. 

Maran  atha,  300. 

Marriage,  284. 

Mary,  Jesus’  mother,  2,  93,  98,  190, 
197. 

Mary  Magdalene,  55,  90,  91,  148,  191. 
Mary  and  Martha,  118,  174,  176. 
Matthew,  15. 

Matthias,  197. 

Melchizedek,  373,  374. 

Melita,  252. 

Michael,  413. 

Miletus,  236. 

Millennium,  439. 

Mind  of  Christ,  333. 

Moses,  30,  73,  304,  382. 

Mustard  seed,  24,  126. 

Nain,  108. 

Narrow  door,  126. 

Narrow  gate,  11. 

Nathanael,  153. 

Net,  kingdom  like,  25. 

New  Jerusalem,  440. 

New  Patch,  60. 

Nicodemus,  154,  166. 

Ninety-nine  sheep,  32. 

Nobleman  and  servants,  136. 

Oaths,  8,  42. 

Ointment  on  Jesus’  head,  48,  85;  on  his 
feet,  109,  176. 

Olive  tree,  270. 

Onesimus,  367. 

Palm  Sunday,  37,  78,  137,  177. 
Paralytic,  13,  14,  59,  103. 

Passover,  49,  85,  142. 

Patch,  new,  15,  60,  104. 

Paul,  at  Stephen’s  death,  210;  near 
Damascus,  212,  241,  248;  at  Anti¬ 
och,  218;  journey  with  Barnabas, 
220;  stoned,  224;  journey  with  Silas, 
227;  called  to  Macedonia,  227; 
Philippi,  228;  at  Athens,  230; 


448 


INDEX 


at  Corinth,  232;  at  Ephesus,  233; 
at  Troas,  236;  to  Ephesian  Elders, 
237;  at  Jerusalem,  239;  arrested, 
240;  speech  on  stairs,  240;  before 
council,  242;  at  Caesarea,  243;  before 
Felix,  244;  before  Agrippa,  247; 
voyage  to  Italy,  249;  shipwreck, 
250;  bitten  by  snake,  252;  at  Rome, 
252;  trials,  313;  visions,  313;  thorn, 
314;  his  good  news,  316;  his  rights, 
287;  with  pillar  apostles,  317;  fore¬ 
most  sinner,  353. 

Peace,  Jesus  came  not  to  send,  124; 
gives,  182. 

Peace  of  God,  336. 

Pearl,  25.  ,  $ 

Pentecost,  197. 

Perfect,  be  like  God,  9. 

Peter,  called,  57,  103;  confession,  30; 
the  Rock,  30;  rebuked,  73,  114; 
walking  on  water,  27;  professes 
faithfulness,  49,  143;  denial,  49,  51, 
88,  145,  188;  warned,  143;  cuts  off 
ear,  144,  187;  Lovest  thou  me? 
194;  at  Pentecost,  198;  at  Beautiful 
gate,  200;  address,  202;  delivered 
from  prison,  204;  at  Lydda,  214; 
vision,  215;  with  Cornelius,  215; 
delivered  from  prison,  219;  at 
Antioch,  318;  death  predicted, 
194. 

Peter’s  wife’s  mother,  13,  58,  102. 

Pharisee  and  tax  collector,  134. 

Pharisees,  42,  121. 

Philip,  apostle,  153,  177. 

Philip,  of  the  seven,  210,  211. 

Phoebe,  275. 

Pilate,  52,  88,  145,  188. 

Pilate’s  wife,  52. 

Pillar  apostles,  317. 

Plagues,  last,  432. 

Plow,  putting  hand  to,  116. 

Plowing  servant,  132. 

Poor,  the,  177,  388. 

Prayer,  9,  11,  33,  38,  75,  392. 

Prodigal  son,  129. 

Prophet  in  native  place,  25,  67. 

Publius,  252. 

Purification  of  Mary,  97. 

Raising  dead,  16,  66,  108,  113,  175. 

Ravens,  123. 

Registration,  96. 

Rejoice,  336. 


Rest,  371. 

Resurrection,  41,  55,  81,  139,  148,  296, 
439. 

Rewards,  18. 

Rhoda,  219. 

Rich  fool,  122. 

Rich  men,  35,  77,  358,  388,  391. 
Righteousness  of  faith,  255. 

River  of  life,  442. 

Robbers  crucified,  53,  89. 

Sabbath,  20,  60,  61,  105,  125,  159,  165. 
Sacrifice  of  Christ,  379. 

Sacrifices  to  idols,  287. 

Samaria,  210. 

Samaritan,  good,  118;  thankful,  133. 
Samaritans,  116. 

Samaritan  woman,  156. 

Satan,  5,  21,  117,  180,  203,  350,  439. 
Saul.  See  Paul. 

Second  coming,  44,  84,  133,  140,  347, 
349,  443. 

Secrecy  in  religion,  9. 

Sergius  Paulus,  221. 

Sermon  on  the  mount,  6,  106. 

Seven  appointed,  206. 

Seventy  appointed,  116. 

Sheep  and  goats,  47. 

Shepherds,  96. 

Shepherd,  the  good,  172. 

Sign  not  given,  22,  29,  120;  given,  154, 
178. 

Silas,  227. 

Siloam,  tower,  125. 

Simeon,  97. 

Simon  of  Cyrene,  53,  89,  146. 

Simon,  magician,  210. 

Simon  Peter.  See  Peter. 

Simon,  Pharisee,  109. 

Simon,  tanner,  215. 

Sin  unpardonable,  21,  62,  122,  410. 
Sinless  cast  stone,  167. 

Slaves,  285,  330,  357. 

South,  queen,  22,  120. 

Sower,  22,  62,  110. 

Speck  in  eye,  11,  107. 

Spirits  in  prison,  397. 

Spiritual  and  fleshly,  280. 

Spiritual  gifts,  292. 

Star  in  East,  2,  3. 

Storm  calmed,  64,  162. 

Swearing,  8,  42,  392. 

Swine,  65,  112. 

Sword,  buy,  144;  put  up,  50. 


INDEX 


449 


Syrophoenician,  71. 

Tabitha,  214. 

Talents,  46. 

Temple  buildings  destroyed,  43,  83. 
Temple  courts  cleansed,  38,  79,  154- 
Temple  tax,  32. 

Temptation  of  Jesus,  5,  57,  100. 
Temptation,  387. 

Ten  maidens,  46. 

Theophilus,  92,  196. 

Thorn,  Paul’s,  314. 

Thousand  years,  439. 

Three  witnesses,  410. 

Timothy,  227. 

Tongue,  the,  390. 

Tongues,  and  prophecy,  294. 
Tradition,  27,  70. 

Traitor,  49. 

Transfiguration,  30,  73,  115. 
Treasures  on  earth,  10. 

Tree  of  life,  442. 

Tree  and  fruit,  107. 

Trial  of  Jesus,  51,  88,  145,  188. 
Tribute,  40,  81,  139. 

Triumphal  entry,  37,  78,  137. 

Troas,  227,  236. 

Trumpets,  seven,  424. 

Truth,  168,  189. 

Twelve  appointed,  16,  61,  105,  113. 
Two  sons,  39. 

Unchastity  at  Corinth,  282,  284. 
Unforgiving  servant,  33. 

Unknown  God,  157,  231. 
Unpardonable  sin,  21,  62,  122,  410. 

Vine,  182. 


Vineyard,  36,  39,  80,  138. 

Visit  of  Mary  to  Elizabeth,  94. 

Voice  from  heaven,  5,  57,  99,  177. 

Walking  on  water,  27,  69,  162. 
Washing  feet,  179. 

Way,  truth  and  life,  181. 

Weakness  and  strength,  314,  315. 
Wedding,  40. 

Wedding  at  Cana,  153. 

Weeds  and  wheat,  24. 

Widows,  355. 

Widow’s  mite,  82,  140. 

Wine,  153. 

Winepress,  432. 

Wineskins,  15,  60,  104. 

Wisdom,  387,  390. 

Wise  men,  2,  3. 

Withered  hand,  105. 

Wives,  396. 

Woes,  426. 

Wolves,  12. 

Woman,  a  sinner,  109. 

Woman  clothed  with  sun,  428. 
Woman  taken  in  adultery,  167. 
Woman  with  hemorrhage,  66. 

Women  in  church,  290,  296,  353, 
365. 

Women’s  hair,  291. 

Word,  the,  151,  438. 

Writing  on  ground,  167. 

Yeast,  24,  29,  72,  283. 

Yoke,  Jesus’,  20. 

Zacchffius,  136. 

Zacharias,  92. 

Zebedee,  sons  of,  36,  58. 


Date  Due 

wrg'rip 

’ 

• 

BS195  .5.B18 

The  Riverside  New  Testament;  a 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1  1012  00010  8557 


